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New Report Highlights Opportunities to Expand Awareness of 9-8-8 and Strengthen Crisis Care Across Cook County
Report shares recommendations to support an equitable, coordinated, culturally responsive crisis system to ensure that everyone in Cook County has access to these critical and life-saving services.
BRIDGEVIEW, IL – Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and the Cook County Justice Advisory Council (JAC) have released Community and Provider Voices: Strengths and Opportunities in the Suburban Cook County Crisis Care System, a comprehensive local assessment of the behavioral health crisis system that presents findings from community members, behavioral health providers, and social service providers.
The report found that approximately one in three crisis system users turned to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or local crisis services, such as Living Rooms or Mobile Crisis Teams for support. In addition, 55% of respondents indicated that they called 911 or visited an emergency room instead of calling 988. These findings indicate that an increasing percentage of Cook County residents experiencing a crisis have begun utilizing the 988 system, launched in July of 2022, but significant opportunities remain for increased utilization.
To increase 988 awareness and utilization, the report recommends expanding outreach through trusted community partners and institutions, including the Community Health Worker Learning Collaborative, which represents community health workers across Cook County, and investing in paid digital marketing and targeted outreach to broaden public awareness of 9-8-8 and ensure all residents know how to access the crisis line.
“Investing in mental health is essential to building safe, thriving communities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. ” This report highlights the progress being made in building systems of community-based care that both prevent crises before they arise and can respond to persons in crisis when they occur. There’s also a great opportunity to increase awareness of 9-8-8 and the number of residents who use it as a resource. Cook County remains committed to ensuring that every resident can receive compassionate support when they need it most.”
“This report reminds us that while people are using crisis services, too many are still turning to 911 or the emergency department. Changing those habits takes time and trust. We’re up against long-standing care patterns and stigma. But with 988 and community-based crisis care, we are collectively building new pathways to help people get the right care, at the right time, in the right place. It’s a journey we’re on together with our partners across Cook County and within our communities,” said Dr. Erik Mikaitis, CEO, Cook County Health.
“Mental health and substance use needs are rising in our communities, and this report unpacks some of our challenges in how we address the coordination of crisis care. We are working towards building an infrastructure that is equitable and responsive to our current needs,” said Dr. Kiran Joshi, chief operating officer, Cook County Department of Public Health.
“This report will help ensure the wider crisis care system supports people across Cook County, including those in the communities that have the fewest resources and are most vulnerable to criminalization of mental health crises”, said Avik Das, Esq, Executive Director, Cook County Justice Advisory Council. “By listening to community voices, we can better understand how to reduce harm, build trust, and connect residents with the community-based services that have proven to be effective in promoting the health and safety of people and communities.”
Since 2021, the State of Illinois has invested significantly in building a stronger crisis care system. These efforts include the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in July of 2022, expansion of Mobile Crisis Response Teams, and certification of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, which provide a full range of crisis services. The state has also established structures to improve coordination among major agencies overseeing crisis programs and local implementation.
Cook County provides just over 18 million in funding to community-based mental health organizations that support the 9-8-8 crisis line and provide crisis care services, including Pillars, the Kenneth Young Center, NAMI Metro Suburban, NAMI Chicago, and Thrive Counseling Centers. Other funded organizations include Ada Mckinley, C4, Leyden Family Services, Metropolitan Family Services and Envision Unlimited.
Although Illinois has made major progress, opportunities remain in suburban Cook County. Through community surveys and focus groups, some residents reported they had not heard of 988 despite the high use of crisis services.
The report emphasizes that crisis response should not be viewed as a single moment of intervention but as part of a continuum of care that includes follow-up support. Strengthening coordination, communication, and partnership among crisis service providers is key to ensuring that individuals receive the help they need and can avoid future crises.
Recommendations and key next steps include:
- Increase awareness of 9-8-8 by expanding outreach through trusted community partners and institutions, including the Community Health Worker Learning Collaborative, which represents 30 organizations that support community health workers across Cook County. Community health workers play a vital role as trusted messengers and connectors in their communities.
- Invest in paid digital marketing and targeted outreach to broaden public awareness of 9-8-8 and ensure all residents know how to access the crisis line.
- Improve access to culturally responsive crisis care in all regions of suburban Cook County.
- Improve coordination between service providers for smooth transitions of care and “no wrong door” entry points, in coordination with Community Emergency Services and Oversight Act (CESSA) oversight bodies and balancing regional assets and needs with consistency across the state.
- Invest in diversification and reinforced crisis workforce.
- Create systems for ongoing aftercare support and engagement, including opportunities to address social determinants of health needs.
CCDPH remains committed to working with community partners to elevate suburban needs and strengthen the local crisis system. The department’s goal is to ensure that every resident of suburban Cook County can access high-quality, equitable, and culturally responsive crisis services when and where they are needed.
The full report, Community and Provider Voices: Strengths and Opportunities in the Suburban Cook County Crisis Care System, is available here: BH Crisis Response System Report – NOV 2025
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Cook County Department of Public Health is the nationally accredited, state-certified local health department serving suburban Cook County. We build healthier, more equitable communities by protecting health, preventing disease, engaging communities, and analyzing and sharing data for action.