North River Mental Health Center, located at 5801 N. Pulaski, is a
Chicago community mental health center that services the northwest side
of Chicago. Once referred to as a "jewel" of the community, and a
forerunner in recovery methods, the Center has become subject to budget
cuts and City mismanagement- leaving it with only two therapists and
unable to provide help to all clients who need them.
Facts
about
North River
North River is assigned 450
severely mentally ill people.
The center currently has
only two (2) therapists- the fewest of any center in the City.
Twenty years ago North River
had over 15 therapists and provided a variety of services including
outreach to schools and seniors along with resources for veterans,
substance abusers, and victims of abuse. The current North River no
longer is able to provide any of those services.
The City of Chicago provides
a mere $95,000 per year to the North River Mental Health
Center.
The Department of Public
Health has attempted to close the center
twice in the past year. It is only because of the tremendous outpouring
of local residents that the City was forced to keep the center
open.
23,492 local voters (71%)
passed a referendum on November 4,
2008, stating that they would pay a .004 property tax increase to
expand services at North River Mental Health Center. All that remains
to restore our mental health center is for our elected officials to
listen to our votes. Tell your alderman that you want your vote heard!
