The Honorable Donna Miller, Cook County Commissioner of the 6th District, visited Sertoma Star Services recently to present a resolution in honor of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in Cook County. The Board of Commissioners chose Sertoma Star Services’ Community Mental Health and Counseling (CMHC) for the announcement due to its significant contributions to improving mental health outcomes in the county.

During her visit, Commissioner Miller expressed her gratitude to the Sertoma Star staff for their continued dedication to serving our community and uplifting our residents. She recognized the vital work being done at CMHC and applauded the ongoing commitment to enhancing mental health services. 

“I am deeply grateful to community service providers like Sertoma Star, who have been steadfast in their dedication to improving the health and mental health of our communities for many years,” said Miller. “I am honored to present this resolution as a token of my appreciation!”

Minority Mental Health Awareness is recognized each July, and Sertoma Star Services is a leading provider of mental health services in the south suburbs of Chicago, offering Community Mental Health and Counseling services based out of Matteson, IL. The agency supports individuals with disabilities and those living with mental illness through programs and services designed to meet the unique needs and interests of every person served. Its Community Mental Health and Counseling is a dedicated facility within the Sertoma Star agency built on the principles of recovery, building strengths, creating positive futures, and reintegrating into the community. Sertoma Star Services also has locations in Alsip, Chicago Heights, and Indiana.

Joining Honorable Miller in sponsoring the resolution were Cook County Board of Commissioners Frank Aguilar, Scott Britton, John P. Daley, Bridget Degnen, Stanley Moore, Kevin Morrison, Maggie Trevor, and Jessica Vasquez. “We have invested over $70 million to support mental health services in the county, and we are committed to doing more,” said Miller.

In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives designated July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month to enhance public awareness of mental illness, especially within minority communities. It was inspired by the impactful work of author and advocate Bebe Moore Campbell, who championed improving communities through mental wellness, open access to effective mental health treatment and services, and community outreach and support for the many who are unable to speak for themselves.

Cook County Commissioner Visit photo: The Honorable Donna Miller, Cook County Commissioner of the 6th District (center), with Sertoma Star Services Executive Team members following the signing of the resolution Recognizing National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in Cook County.

Cook County Commissioner Visit 2 photo: Kirk Hanson, Senior VP of Community Mental Health, (left) with the Honorable Donna Miller, Cook County Commissioner of the 6th District.