McLean Co. to host Behavioral Health Community Forum

The McLean County Health Department is co-sponsoring the forum, part of the McLean County Mental Health Action Plan developed in 2015. (Photo Google Earth)

By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – McLean County is presenting an opportunity to learn more about behavioral health challenges in the community.

The public is invited to the county’s first Behavioral Health Community Forum, scheduled for Thursday, May 18 from 1 until 6:30 p.m. at the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.

McLean County Board Chairman John McIntyre said behavioral health covers a wide range.

“Nationally, the term has been changed and been adopted to talk about a little bit more than just mental health, because of addiction problems, substance abuse and other types of issues,” McIntyre told WJBC’s Patti Penn. “Basically, we talk about behavioral health more.”

Breakout sessions presented by representatives of government, education and healthcare will be held throughout the afternoon. A keynote address to conclude the event will discuss supportive housing as an alternative to hospital emergency departments and jails.

There is no cost to attend. Registration is encouraged but not required at mcleancountyil.gov.

Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected].

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