(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Chicago Department of Public Health says the city's publicly funded mental health network is now in every neighborhood, but neighborhood providers say some wait lists are still long.
The map shows a big expansion of mental health services in Chicago's neighborhoods since 2019.
"We were in 11 neighborhoods,” Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said Thursday. “Look at this map: There are 177 dots on that map. That's all of you -- and us. That's the Trauma-Informed Centers of Care."
In other words, the mental health providers in the city.
Natali Rehman, the behavioral health director at the Inner-City Muslim Action Network in Chicago Lawn, praised the new expansion and partnership with the city. But in a panel group exchange with Dr. Arwady, she says there are still issues.
Like a lack of psychiatrists.
"It is a nightmare to try and get a person a psychiatric appointment. I spoke with one of our doctors just two days ago -- we were talking about a mutual patient -- and she said she made a referral. And the person cannot be seen -- it's a year out."
"Oh my God," said Dr.
Arwady.
Dr. Arwady says the Chicago Department of Public Health clinics do have appointments available with psychiatrists.
Arwady says the city plans to expand mental health services to O'Hare and to open a "sobering center" in the city.
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