The tax-supported DeKalb County Mental Health Board works to ensure quality behavioral health services are available locally according to Executive Director Deanna Cada who was guest speaker at this week’s Rotary meeting. Cada joined the Mental Health Board in 2015 after previously serving in other non-profit and government community services areas following her graduation from Northern Illinois University.
Cada said there are currently three priority focus areas for the Mental health board. These are young children (especially services for those in day care); diversity, equity, and inclusion for availability of services to all; and availability of services in the workplace.
Cada outlined some specific mental health services in the county that are new or are providing cutting edge treatment. For example, the county offers QRP (Question, Persuade, and Refer) training as steps for suicide intervention. Recently a “988” nationwide suicide prevention phone number was implemented in DeKalb County which is complimented by a countywide “211” information and referral phone number listing multiple services from non-profits and government agencies. Another special initiative is the Social Worker Program with DeKalb and Sycamore police and the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department. This program provides a person to intervene in cases involving mental health issues to give professionalized services and relieve law enforcement to be available for criminal activities.
Further information is available from their website at www.dekalbcounty.org/departments/Mental-Health-Board/.