For many Americans, the living room is a place of familial comfort; at Skokie’s Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center, it’s that and so much more.
The Living Room, Turning Point’s center that serves adults in psychiatric crisis, enters its 11th year in 2022. In that time, its staff – which includes therapists and trained recovery support specialists — has served more than 2,200 individuals in their times of need, deflecting many from emergency room visits. While the pandemic drove a shift to telehealth for The Living Room (which typically offers walk-in service), the nonprofit also expanded the program’s hours in 2021. The Living Room’s services are offered 365 days a year at no out-of-pocket cost to guests, but the program needs the support of the broader community to continue to flourish, as do all of Turning Point’s offerings.
In December, that support came in droves. More than $100,000 was raised at Turning Point’s virtual Rising to the Challenge benefit, featuring NBC5 News’ Christian Farr as master of ceremonies. NorthShore University HealthSystem served as the December 9 event’s wellness sponsor.
“Turning Point has continued to serve its many clients remotely throughout the Covid-19 crisis and we are so glad that our community could gather with us virtually to celebrate and support the wide range of compassionate care that Turning Point provides,” CEO Ann Fisher Raney said.
The Covid-19 crisis has shone a light on mental health, with stress, anxiety and isolation impacting many. During the pandemic and far before it, Turning Point has been on standby for those in need of mental health support services. The nonprofit, established in 1969, aims to fulfill its mission of providing “solid support, when you need it most.” Each year, the nonprofit serves approximately 1,300 children and adults from throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, approximately 90% of whom are low income.
Turning Point’s steadfast work and commitment to its mission has earned local, regional and national recognition, including the most recent feather in its cap: the 2021 Skokie Business of the Year Award. Other honors include the 2017 Excellence in Mental Health Award from the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health; the 2017 Public Health Partners of Excellence Award from the Skokie Health Department and Board of Health, in recognition of exceptional contributions to the health of Skokie; and the 2015 Impact Award for Excellence in Behavioral Healthcare Management from the National Council for Behavioral Health.
For more information on Turning Point, visit the nonprofit’s website or call (847) 933-0051. Currently, individuals can access support from The Living Room by calling (847) 933-9202 from 12 p.m.-8 p.m. daily, with calls accepted until 7:15 p.m.
