As Chicago Looks To Post-COVID Recovery, Lightfoot Zeroes In On Mental Health Resources

Mayor Lightfoot looks to make good on campaign promises to boost mental health resources in Chicago as the city focuses on recovery.

By Meha Ahmad, Stephanie Kim
As Chicago Looks To Post-COVID Recovery, Lightfoot Zeroes In On Mental Health Resources
In this April, 16, 2020, file photo, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot arrives at Wrigley Field, which the Chicago Cubs used as a food distribution hub to help support COVID-19 relief efforts. On Thursday, July 9, Mayor Lightfoot released the city's COVID-19 Recovery Task Force report. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo
As Chicago Looks To Post-COVID Recovery, Lightfoot Zeroes In On Mental Health Resources
In this April, 16, 2020, file photo, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot arrives at Wrigley Field, which the Chicago Cubs used as a food distribution hub to help support COVID-19 relief efforts. On Thursday, July 9, Mayor Lightfoot released the city's COVID-19 Recovery Task Force report. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

As Chicago Looks To Post-COVID Recovery, Lightfoot Zeroes In On Mental Health Resources

Mayor Lightfoot looks to make good on campaign promises to boost mental health resources in Chicago as the city focuses on recovery.

By Meha Ahmad, Stephanie Kim
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Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday released a 104-page report filled with recommendations for recovery as Chicago faces both an economic and public health crisis. The list includes fighting poverty, eliminating inequity, and mental health services that have long experienced cuts and underfunding in the city.

Reset checks in with the head of the Chicago chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Health, who helped craft the recommendations, about how focusing on mental health resources right now could help the city deal with its economic crisis.

GUEST: Alexa James, executive director of NAMI Chicago