It was 53 years ago when Oak Park Township established its independent Community Mental Health Board, with a mission of enhancing mental health for Oak Park residents and advocating for the development of mental health services in the village.
Composed of nine Oak Parkers appointed by the township supervisor with the approval of township trustees, the board provides over $1 million in financial support for programs and services for upwards of 20 agencies a year in Oak Park.
However, despite a half-century of dedicated service helping residents manage mental health conditions, addiction and developmental disorders, the board never had the opportunity to operate out of a dedicated, community-facing facility.
That changed 3 years ago when the Park District of Oak Park opened its long-awaited Community Recreation Center (CRC) at 229 Madison St. and invited the board to establish its permanent office inside the vibrant new wellness hub. The mental health board decided to invest $1 million into the project’s capital campaign in exchange for a 35-year lease on its office space.
Cheryl Potts, executive director of the Community Mental Health Board since late 2021, says the board’s operational move to the CRC has not only elevated its visibility, but sparked a powerful new era for local mental health advocacy.
“The partnership has been even better than we could have imagined,” she said. “While we were out in the community, prior to the CRC location, the board was operating out of the Byline Bank building in downtown Oak Park with no foot traffic. Having the visibility of being in the CRC for both adults and the youth after-school program, we get a lot more walk-ins and requests for connections to resources — that navigation piece is so key.”
Jan Arnold, the park district’s executive director, says inviting the board to make its home at the CRC was a no-brainer, as supporting community wellness is woven into the park’s daily work.
“As we planned amenities in the CRC, we heard consistently from community members and the media about the strong connection between mental and physical health,” she says. “By partnering, we’re able to create a more holistic approach to community wellness by supporting the physical and mental health needs of our residents in a welcoming and familiar environment.”
Situated on the second floor of the CRC and nestled between a fitness studio and large gymnasium, the board’s new headquarters features a welcoming waiting area, inviting group meeting space and light-filled leadership offices — all which Potts says has proven to be a big success.
Since the move, the space has allowed the board to integrate mental and physical wellness in a variety of ways — hosting educational sessions and trainings on topics from mental health first aid and gun safety to housing advocacy and suicide prevention; sponsoring wellness activities for teens, adults and seniors; and offering system resource navigation for local centers servicing mental health and addiction care.
“The board is where locals can find community resources for themselves or for others who need assistance,” Potts says. “Community members can access support and education services in a convenient and discreet location.”
While the board does not offer clinical services on site, it mobilizes partnerships with local social service providers to offer residents connection to and education about available resources for care.
“What we can do is by knowing your insurance situation, help get you to the right provider,” Potts said. “It’s that warm handoff, as opposed to just giving a list of phone numbers. We can share specifics of providers on openings, specialties, and insurance, and can help coordinate appointments.”
One highlight in particular Potts adds has been a huge benefit to locals with the move to the CRC has been the variety of youth programs they’re now able to offer in collaboration with the park district.
Each Wednesday during the school year, the board hosts workshops in tandem with the park district’s free after-school program. Typically, 45 minutes long and led by funded board partners, the interactive sessions cover a variety of issues from stress management and self-confidence to the risks involving alcohol, opiates and gambling. Since last April, Potts says the board has provided 19 after-school workshops attended by over 250 teens.
“There’s a lot of interest in the programs,” she said. “Teens hear about our offerings through newsletters for parents of the kids in the after-school program, or through flyers posted at the CRC.”
Arnold adds that collaborating closely with the board has given the park district a great new way to connect with local youth.
“The programs the board brings to our Youth Afterschool Program have been especially successful because they meet teens where they already are and address topics that are highly relevant to their day-to-day lives,” she said.
Whether Oak Parkers are new to the CRC or regulars to its fitness offerings, Arnold hopes residents will check out the board’s space to observe how wellness is not only important for the body, but for the mind as well.
“We’ve always believed our role goes beyond programs, parks and facilities — it’s about helping build a healthier community,” she said.
Potts agrees, wishing that all Oak Park residents will view the board as a familiar, dependable neighbor they can always count on.
“We are a resource that we hope you will never need to use but want you to know is here when you need it,” she said. “The worst time to try to find resources for mental health is when you or a loved one is going through a crisis. We’re constantly reminding people that we are here to take some of the burden when you need to navigate a difficult situation.”