May Our Flowers Bloom.
CHICAGO DESERVES HEALING.
Treatment Not Trauma advocates for expanded facilities and trained professionals to provide accessible mental health services in our communities 24.7, 365.
Mental health is often treated as taboo-but we believe in having the tough conversations and fighting for real solutions, like a fully funded and expanded mental health emergency hotline. For this media campaign, I wanted to highlight that Black and Brown Chicagoans do not mind discussing the need for mental health services, facilities, and specialists on the South and West Sides. They want solutions.
Treatment Not Trauma advocates for 24/7 support for crisis intervention, a rapid mobile response team to meet distressed people where they are, and facilities that provide varied crisis support.
As of 2026, the only way to access the CARE team is by calling 9-1-1 and specifically requesting them. This service is available only from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
This initiative was created through the Chicago Creatives for Justice Fellowship in collaboration with Treatment Not Trauma.
Mental Health Resources
24/7 National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988
NAMI Chicago Helpline: 833-626-4244
Illinois CARES Hotline: 800-345-9049 (Available 24/7 for children and adults with Medicaid)
24/7 Multilingual City of Chicago Domestic Violence Helpline: 877-863-6338
2-1-1 Metro Chicago: 211
Black Alphabet – Group Art Therapy for Black LGBTQIA+ people in Chicago
Sista Afyia – Free and affordable culturally-centered mental wellness care
Therapy for Black Girls – Directory of Black therapists by state
Psychology Today – Search therapists by co-pay amount in your area