Mental health information
Understanding Mental Health and Support
Finding support can feel confusing, especially when you are trying to understand different types of care, who provides them, and what to do first.
This page is designed to help you understand how the mental health system works and what options may be available to you locally, including treatment, community-based services, crisis support, peer support, and legal processes.
You do not need to be in crisis to ask for help
Sometimes there are clear warning signs and symptoms. Sometimes they build slowly over time.
You do not need to be in crisis to ask for help. If your day-to-day feels harder than usual, your relationships are being affected, or something just doesn’t feel right, support is available. NAMI Chicago can help you understand your options and figure out what next step makes sense.
You are not alone in what you’re experiencing
Mental health conditions are common, and they affect people in different ways. One in five adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year. In Illinois alone, more than 1.7 million adults are living with a mental health condition. (Source: NAMI Illinois)
Learning more can be helpful, but it’s easy to misinterpret symptoms or try to self-diagnose. Talking to someone, like a mental health professional or the NAMI Chicago Helpline, can help you get the right context and specialized support.
Mood disorders
Postpartum Depression
Anxiety disorders
Trauma- and stress-related disorders
Psychotic disorders
Schizoaffective Disorder
Eating disorders
Personality disorders
Personality disorders can affect emotions, relationships, self-image, and patterns of behavior in ways that cause distress or make daily life harder.
Looking for more mental health information?
Navigating the mental health system
Recovery and wellness
Recovery is not just about treatment. It’s about building stability, connection, and purpose over time. Learn how NAMI Chicago approaches recovery and supports individuals beyond clinical care.
Treatment settings
Mental health care can happen in many different settings, from outpatient therapy to more intensive programs and hospital care. Learn what these options are and when they might be used.
Legal processes
Some situations involve legal processes related to treatment, decision-making, or a person’s rights. Learn about options like guardianship, advance directives, and involuntary treatment.
Mental health professionals
There are many different types of providers, including therapists, psychiatrists, and case managers. Learn who does what and how to find the right fit.
Crisis system
The mental health crisis system includes services like 988, mobile crisis response, and emergency care. Learn how the system works in Chicago and what to expect in a crisis.
Beyond crisis
Going beyond crisis means building a system that supports people before and after emergencies. Learn how NAMI Chicago is working to strengthen community-based care and long-term support.
Youth mental health
Mental health affects us at every age — but kids and young adults express their mental health differently from adults. It’s important to know that:
Support options
NAMI Chicago Helpline:
Call or text 833-626-4244 to connect with a local specialist.
Available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
988 Lifeline:
Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 support if you or someone else is in crisis.
