Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposal to reopen mental health clinics that were shuttered during former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s tenure should be applauded. The new mayor is prioritizing increasing mental health care access to Chicago’s most vulnerable residents.
Mental health care, a critical component of overall wellness, has surged as a policy priority across the U.S. and Illinois during the last several years. However, the country and state face an alarming shortage of mental health professionals, which poses serious challenges to individuals and communities — and to Johnson’s plan to reopen clinics.
