The state of mental health in our region

In the past several years, our region has experienced a dramatic increase in awareness and investment in mental health services. What was once a quiet and often times stigmatized conversation has turned into an open, community-wide conversation about what it means to provide services for mental health well-being and crisis support. This conversation has led to a collective effort to find ways to better support the community’s needs. Having worked in social services, education, and workforce development for many years, I can honestly say that the level of momentum around mental health services in our area today is unlike anything I experienced when I first started my career. It’s encouraging and essential for the growth of our community.

Much of this progress is made possible by the coordination and leadership of the Winnebago County Mental Health Board (WCMHB). Through their data driven strategic plan, the board has identified existing resources as well as gaps in care and services in our region. We have made meaningful strides, but the WCMHB outlines a continued need for services in areas like older adult mental health, early childhood mental health, and youth mental health. While these gaps still exist, it’s encouraging to see them identified, because it could lead to targeted solutions and progress.

We’re also having conversations surrounding self-care, as it has been identified as an important part of mental health. Many have started to feel “self-cared out,” making it clear that real support also requires systemic change.

One of the most hopeful aspects of this movement, which I have seen firsthand through my work, is how local employers are actively responding.

To improve the satisfaction and well-being of their staff, one of our local manufacturing partners is implementing practical change by offering preferred scheduling. This allows employees to pick from various shift options to accommodate the demands of their personal lives. What’s great about this approach is that it moves beyond a tag phrase of self-care and gives people the support they need to achieve real work life balance that directly supports their mental health.

A preferred work schedule may not change everything, but it can have a big impact on an individual employee. More importantly, it keeps the conversation going about the small meaningful ways employers can support mental health beyond just offering selfcare training.

Our region has also seen the emergence of creative, community-centered programs designed with the unique needs of our region in mind. One of these programs is Rockford Barbell, an organization that works with youth to support both their mental and physical health. Through weightlifting, mentorship, and structured programming, they teach young people how to manage their emotions, build resilience, and care for their bodies and minds.

As stigma around mental health has decreased and awareness has increased, more people have felt comfortable seeking support, and that shift has sparked greater interest and curiosity in careers within the mental health field. The broader understanding that there are numerous pathways to make a difference has fueled interest in the field.

This interest has created some changes in our local education and training. For instance, Rockford University will soon launch a bachelor’s level social work program creating an opportunity for local students to pursue this field close to home.

This new program perfectly aligns with programs like the Early Birds Social Worker Development Program, created by the CITIED Foundation, which introduces high school students to careers in social work and mental health services. Ashton Lockhart, executive director of CITIED Foundation, is passionate about supporting the next generation of social workers. The after-school program offers mentorship, career exploration, and guidance around various mental health pathways.

The work around mental health is far from finished. We live in a world that is constantly changing and where community needs and experiences shape and reshape how support is provided. What is evident is that our region is coming together in ways that I have not seen before. Community organizations, employers, schools, and local leaders are taking real steps toward building a system that recognizes the need for mental health services and is willing to invest in them. There are many more organizations making a difference everyday that I did not mention, but together they are creating something powerful in our community.

While it is easy to point out what is still needed, it’s also important to recognize the progress we have made. Every new program, flexible work policy, and career pathway we create moves us closer to a community where mental health support is accessible, respected, and truly integrated into our everyday life.

The Workforce Connection (TWC) Board is one of 22 local workforce boards established by the State of Illinois. Its comprehensive workforce development system balances the needs of individuals and businesses to ensure the Rockford Region has a skilled workforce to effectively compete in the global economy.

The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce.