NCBHS in the News

Returning to life as the COVID-19 restrictions loosen may be much harder than anyone had expected. The experts refer to this as a “new normal” but it is not clear what this may mean for all of us emotionally.

The terminology, “new normal,” has been defined in the past as describing a “significant change following a traumatic event.” Unlike other events, however, the COVID-19 virus has not ended but we are shifting into the next phase of re-entering into the world again, all while trying to balance staying healthy and getting our lives back.

Spoon River College sponsored a Wellness Fair on Oct. 8 at the Canton Campus in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week Oct. 6-10.

North Central Behavioral Health Systems and Chestnut Health Systems have reached an agreement to link their services together in order to provide better access.

A group of area health care organizations have been awarded a federal Rural Opioid Response Planning grant from the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration for La Salle, Bureau and Putnam counties.

Students from around the area heard Drug Enforcement Agency Special Agent Gregory J. Czaczkowski and Eddie Slowikowski of “Eddie Speaks” give presentations at the annual Illinois Valley Community College Teen Showcase. 

North Central Behavioral Health Systems has partnered with Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton to offer mental health and substance use counseling services on an outpatient basis within the hospital setting.

The new hospital-based counseling location is in addition to North Central’s current offices located at Perry Plaza on South Bureau Valley Parkway.

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (IDHS/DASA) is pleased to announce the establishment of the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances. The Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for individuals experiencing opioid use disorders, families, and anyone affected by the disease. The Helpline is confidential and free. Helpline specialists are trained in evidence-based approaches to help connect callers with treatment services and recovery support services. To reach the Helpline, call 1-833-2FINDHELP.

North Central Behavioral Health opened new offices in October at the OSF HealthCare Center for Health-Streator.

Our road to recovery from the events of Feb. 28 is shaping up to be a long and daunting one, but it is a road we are traversing and conquering together. The never-ending support our community has for each other is truly amazing, and we should all be proud to be a part of it.

More than 600 houses were affected by the tornado and related storms. Those properties are homes to our families, friends and neighbors. The physical loss can be readily seen, but the emotional damage is not quite so obvious.  

A high school is reeling from the suicide of one of its students. Her locker is decorated with cards and flowers and students mourn by taking selfies in front of it. Teachers begin class by telling students where they can find counselors if they need to talk. But as the community tries to get their lives back to normal, one student receives a box – old-fashioned cassette tapes from the girl herself, detailing her life and why she killed herself.