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November 7, 2023

Features • November 7, 2023

McHenry County continues to spearhead mental health ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Community Mental Health Act

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MCHENRY COUNTY — The Association of Community Mental Health Authorities of Illinois (ACMHAI) recently recognized the significance of House Bill 708 (HB708), which transformed mental health policy by promoting community-based services over institutionalization.

Oct. 31 marked the 60th anniversary of HB708 which was passed in 1965 and enabled the creation of mental health boards to carry out the provisions under HB708—also known as the Community Mental Health Act (CMHA).

Following the introduction of the CMHA, voters of McHenry County passed a referendum in 1967 to establish the McHenry County Mental Health Board which has since provided funding for mental health, substance use disorders, and intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Today, McHenry County continues to strive to provide residents with a funded network of providers that have established comprehensive quality systems of care.

Additionally, back in September, McHenry County announced that cannabis dispensaries located within the county would be the first in the country to be required to warn customers of the mental health dangers associated with the use of marijuana and other cannabis-related products by posting prominent and conspicuous signage warnings.

The mental health dangers allegedly associated with cannabis use include psychosis, depression, and suicidal ideation, according to McHenry County government officials.

Dispensaries in McHenry County will also be prohibited from making false claims that cannabis has any medical benefits in their product marketing materials and online content. Dispensaries that have refused to warn consumers will face litigation, stated the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

“The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office felt compelled to act after taking stock of the fallout from cannabis legalization locally. In 2022, McHenry County’s suicides nearly doubled, with cannabis, not alcohol, being the most common drug found in the blood samples of decedents,” said the state’s attorney’s office in a press release statement. “Hospitalizations for suicidal ideation and prevalence of mental health disorders in McHenry County have increased significantly since 2020. About half of our recent murders involve cannabis or cannabis-induced psychosis, and cannabis DUIs have doubled.”

As for what steps Huntley has taken to assist in highlighting mental health awareness, residents can find some solace in knowing that the Huntley Police Department employs a full-time social worker who assists in the event officers are called for a service involving a mental health component.

The village’s social worker reaches out to residents after the law enforcement interaction is complete to provide additional help and resources.

The Huntley Police Department also has a number of policies and regular training on mental health, with the goal of providing the best service and meeting the needs of the entire community while maintaining a safe and friendly village, according to the May 2023 Huntley Village Journal.

For those struggling with mental health, community members are encouraged to reach out to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (nami.org) and/or the National Institute of Mental Health (nimh.nih.gov). To get referrals to local resources, call or text 2-1-1.