The Lighthouse Community Becomes Stronger Together
For millions of Americans with disabilities, daily life contains several unique stressors and challenges, including physical limitations and social isolation, that can have a negative impact on their mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control, adults with disabilities experience frequent mental distress — defined as at least 14 mentally unhealthy days per month — more regularly than those without disabilities.
Yet, too often, the mental health needs of people with disabilities and their caregivers go unaddressed for any number of reasons, from medical professionals dismissing or misdiagnosing symptoms as being disability-related to societal misconceptions surrounding mental health care. Thanks to a grant from Cook County Health’s Office of Behavioral Health, The Chicago Lighthouse is proud to introduce “Stronger Together,” a new initiative designed to empower members of our community — particularly people with disabilities, their caregivers, and our employees — to prioritize their mental well-being.
The “Stronger Together” initiative promotes mental health education and understanding and identifying the barriers people within our community — both individuals with disabilities and their caregivers — may face in accessing mental health care,” says Michelle Lee, Mental Health Care Coordinator at The Lighthouse. “This could involve identifying how the feelings you are experiencing are impacting your life and relationships, addressing concerns about the cost of care, or dispelling myths that seeking help means something is ‘wrong’ or ‘broken.’”
In her role as Mental Health Care Coordinator, Michelle serves as a guide for clients along their mental health journeys. She helps them schedule appointments, follows through on keeping those appointments and checks in with them throughout their care. She also helps coordinate with other organizations if there are needs that extend beyond The Lighthouse’s services. Stronger Together provides funding to cover out-of-pocket expenses for Cook County residents and Chicago Lighthouse employees (regardless of place of residence) seeking mental health services. Mental health services through the Bergman Institute for Psychological Support are also available to individuals who live outside of Cook County.
“It’s really providing that social safety net for someone,” Michelle says. “We’re trying to fill those holes before someone falls into a deep depression or experiences a crisis and things become much harder and more desperate.”
Michelle has a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from National Louis University in Chicago and is working toward becoming a licensed mental health provider. She is a member of the American Counseling Association and has more than 17 years of experience in the healthcare field, particularly in areas involving under-resourced communities. Her breadth of experience made it clear she would create a supportive, empathetic environment where clients feel heard and understood.
She was drawn to the job through her own experiences as a caregiver of her niece who was blind. “I know what caregivers go through, and it can be hard on them too,” Michelle says. “When I saw this opportunity at The Lighthouse, it was like a beam of light telling me I had to take this job.”
If you or someone you know might benefit from the Stronger Together Initiative, please complete this intake form or contact Michelle Lee at 312-966-3466 or Michelle.Lee@ChicagoLighthouse.org.
