An advocacy group is kicking off a campaign to involve people with mental illness in an effort to transform Illinois’ public mental health system.
CHICAGO (AP) — An advocacy group is kicking off a campaign to involve people with mental illness in an effort to transform Illinois’ public mental health system. A group called Next Steps is planning a recruitment meeting Sept. 26 in Chicago. Activist Fred Friedman is the group’s organizer. He suffers from depression, and once lived in an institution. He now teaches about mental illness recovery and helps train police on responding to mental health crises. Next Steps has received a small federal grant to mobilize members. And its leaders are seeking to join the National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery, a national organization. The group supports greater community-based services for people with serious mental illnesses. Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.