[pro_ad_display_adzone id="83620"]

Will County's Dr. Kathleen Burke was named to the nationwide Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing. –Photo submitted.

Health Department’s Dr. Burke Named to Nationwide Mental Health/Wellbeing Commission

Spread the love

The National Association of Counties (NACo) announced 14 county leaders have been appointed to the new commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, including Will County Health Department’s Dr. Kathleen Burke. The group, unveiled at NACo’s Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., is tasked with leading the development of policy and programmatic recommendations at the federal, state, and local levels to address systemic issues contributing to the ever-growing mental health crisis.

“In 2021, nearly one-in-four U.S. adults and one-in-five adolescents experienced a mental illness,” said NACo President Denise Winfrey. “This commission understands the urgency of the moment. It’s made up of people who, in their own communities, are seeing the effects of the mental health crisis and have an idea of where we need to start in order to address it.”

Dr. Burke serves as the Coordinator of Substance Use Initiatives in the Behavioral Health Division of the Will County Health Department. In this role, she manages the Illinois Drug Overdose Prevention Project in Will County and is a member of the Illinois Opioid Crisis Response Advisory Council. Dr. Burke offers Naloxone training throughout Will County to prevent over-dose deaths. She also leads the Recovery Coach/Peer Support Specialist Workforce Development Project and the Naloxone Rapid Response Program. She is a member of Governors State University (GSU) faculty and serves on GSU’s Addictions Studies and Behavioral Health Advisory Committee. Additionally, Dr. Burke serves on Will County Mobilizing for Action through the Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) Collaborative Executive Committee and is Behavioral Health Action Team Chair, on the Stepping Stones Treatment Center Board of Directors, and is a member of the Will Grundy HLM Recovery Oriented System of Care Council.

“I am passionate about creating access to behavioral health services for the community, both mental health and substance use, in the same manner in which we have access to health care,” said Burke. “Stigma has been allowed to influence the systems of care within communities and, as an educator, I recognize the first step in getting rid of bias and barriers is accurate knowledge.”

Counties are well-positioned to lead action on the mental health crisis, because counties play an integral role in local health, justice and human services systems. Direct mental health service delivery responsibilities are falling increasingly to America’s counties, which serve as the nation’s safety net for residents in need, act as first responders, operate crisis lines, and manage public hospitals and detention centers.

“I am excited about working with a cross section of experts in the field to unearth the models that work in our communities and identify ways to fill the gaps for counties across the U.S.,” Burke said.

For more information about NACo’s Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing, visit www.naco.org/resources/signature-projects/naco-commission-mental-health-and-wellbeing.


Spread the love
Vedette logo

Apartment Complex Has Manteno Principal Concerned

By Jeff Vorva You might say Matthew Glenn is looking for an exit strategy. Or, at the very least, an...
Panther logo

Panthers Beat Milford 11-1

By Jim Piacentini In Manteno baseball on Tuesday, March 19, the Panthers had a slow first inning against the Milford...
Panther logo

BIG Week for Lady Panthers!

On Tuesday, March 19, in a non-conference game, the Lady Panthers brought home an 11-3 victory against the Kankakee Kays....
Manteno Fire Protection District

Manteno Firefighters Participate in Training Leading to State/National Certification

Local firefighters Zachary Carroll and Danielle Georgelos, from the Manteno Community Fire Protection District, are enrolled in the Illinois Fire...
–Graphic submitted.

Elizabeth Packard: The Woman Who Wouldn’t Be Silenced

–Photo submitted. Join Laura Keyes, as Elizabeth Packard, for this informative and inspiring presentation on "Elizabeth...
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Monee Police Blotter: March 11 – 16

March 11, at approximately 4:10 p.m., officers responded to a business in the 6600 block of Monee-Manhattan Road to investigate...
Former Illinois State Police trooper who pleaded guilty in relation to deadly crash postpones hearing

Manteno Police Respond to Stabbings; Suspect in Custody

On March 21, Manteno officers were dispatched to Copelands Route 50 North Bar, in the 100 block of N. Locust...
Rep. Haas honored Brickstone Brewery as her March Local Business Spotlight. –Photo submitted.

Rep. Haas: Brickstone Brewery March Local Business Spotlight

For her March local business spotlight, State Rep. Jackie Haas recognized Brickstone Brewery in Bourbonnais. Rep. Haas spent time touring...
Upcoming events logo

Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group ‘Rescue ME’ Crafters’ Resale

Mark your calendars - we are back for our 10th "Rescue ME Resale." The Manhattan-Elwood Quilt Group is hosting its...
Community News Logo

Peotone to Begin Branch Pick-Up

Starting April 1 and running through October 28, the Village of Peotone will run its branch pick-up service. For this...
Community News Logo

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Helping Hands Food Pantry will be open to all area residents (including senior citizens and adults both with or without...
–Logo submitted.

Peotone Library News

The library is closing early on Friday, March 29, at 3 p.m. The next Friends of the Library meeting is...
Community News Logo

Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs Celebrates Women’s History Month

Stories of determination/skill highlight the critical role of women in the success of every business. Fitness Premier 24/7 Clubs, the...
–Logo submitted.

Crete Library News

Thursday, March 28 Manga Club for Teens, from 3 - 4 p.m., grades sixth/12th: Join us to discuss "Animal Crossing:...
Manhattan FPD

From the Desk of Fire Chief Steve Malone:

The Manhattan Fire Protection District and the Peotone Fire Protection District accomplished something rare in local government. After a two-year...

[pro_ad_display_adzone id="83497"]

Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Capitol Briefs: Advocates push for guaranteed income, child care assistance
Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen at the March 18 board meeting. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
Manhattan Board Approves New Well House, Works Toward Finalizing Budget
Vedette logo
Kankakee County Auditor Jake Lee Out After 2 Terms
The Forest Preserve District of Will County is urging anglers to use fishing line recycling receptacles this year to dispose of their broken or unneeded fishing line. The goal is to eliminate fishing line from the environment and to protect wildlife from injuries or death. –Photo by Forest Preserve staff.
Forest Preserve District of Will County News Headlines
Beecher Bobcat Adyn McGinley –Photo by Jim Piacentini.
VEDETTE SPORTS REPORT
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds
Illinois teacher shortage persists, survey finds

[pro_ad_display_adzone id="83602"]

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

[pro_ad_display_adzone id="173324"]

Classifieds

[pro_ad_display_adzone id="83513"]