New Choice Intervention Provides Much Needed Mental Health Services To The Community

Dr. Tunde Ali is the founder of New Choice Interventions, which provides mental health services. PHOTO PROVIDED BY APPREYPR.
Dr. Tunde Ali is the founder of New Choice Interventions, which provides mental health services. PHOTO PROVIDED BY APPREYPR.

New Choice Intervention Provides Much Needed Mental Health Services To The Community

By Tia Carol Jones

Dr. Tunde Ali started New Choice Intervention, Inc., in 2008 as a private practice and in 2014, he decided to work with individuals who had Medicaid.

While in graduate school at Governors State University, Ali did a case study on Harvey and discovered the city would benefit from Mental Health services, because it was something the community did not have.

New Choice Intervention is located at 142 E. 154th St., in Harvey. It offers early intervention services for infants and toddlers, a mentoring program for young people, alcohol and substance abuse outreach, treatment and prevention programs, psychosocial rehabilitation services, support services for people who are unhoused, an adult outpatient program and mental health case coordination. There are also group and family services, in addition to services for individuals. New Choice Intervention will not turn people away who might not be able to pay for their mental health services.

“I cannot afford to let people who need that service be left unattended because of their financial situation,” Ali said.

Ali said that one of the ways to address the stigma around mental health is to bring about awareness and education about the importance of mental health services. He said educating people about mental health services can encourage them to access those services.

“The era of allowing this deep need to limit the access and to discourage the ability to seek intervention is over,” Ali said. “We have to continuously let them know that it is OK to be diagnosed with different types of mental illness. What is not OK is for people not to seek help because they are scared.

Ali said the mental health services that is offered at New Choice Intervention, Inc. is very accessible. The goal is to help people get mental health services so they can be treated and improve their quality of life.

With May recognized as Mental Health Month, New Choice Intervention, Inc. will host several activities to celebrate the month including a workshop, a community picnic, a movie screening, a concert, an award ceremony, bowling and a gala.

Ali credits his determination to help people is the reason for his success. Helping people with their mental health is his contribution to humanity. He is determined to continue to provide much needed services to the community. He also credits his friends and partners and staff members who share his vision to provide those services.

New Choice Intervention, Inc.  also has a branch in Calumet City, which is located at 850 Burnham Ave. It was opened in 2022.

“It’s high time we don’t let what people say determine how we live our lives. If we don’t take care of our mental wellness it will turn to mental illness,” he said. “When people are sick, they go to the hospital and talk to the doctor to seek help to get better. Why should we not do the same thing for our mental and emotional wellbeing?”

For more information about New Choice Intervention, Inc., and a schedule of events for Mental Health Month, visit newchoiceintervention.com.

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