Illinois Students and Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Fully Fund Campus Mental Health Support

Illinois Students and Advocates Call on Lawmakers to Fully Fund Campus Mental Health Support

Springfield, Ill. – Young Invincibles and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago joined students and legislative leaders, Representative La Shawn K. Ford and Representative Lindsey LaPointe, to advocate to fully fund the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act (MHEACA) at $23.5 million for fiscal year 2026.

The MHEACA, passed in 2019, aims to strengthen mental health support across Illinois public colleges and universities. However, the law was passed without the necessary funding to implement it. Illinois has made big strides by allocating $9 million in the FY24 supplemental budget and $13 million in the FY25 budget, but more is needed.

The $23.5 million requested for FY26 is based on estimations made by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and would allow public colleges the ability to implement the Act fully. This includes increasing training and awareness among faculty, staff, and students, building better mental health screening to identify students in need, improving the capacity to provide mental health treatment, and peer support on campus.

The nation is currently facing a mental health crisis, with one in three young adults aged 18-25 experiencing a mental health condition — the highest rate among any adult age group in the U.S. Yet, this group has the lowest rate of mental health service utilization, with nearly half not receiving the care they need. In order to support young people striving to earn a college degree, it is critical to fully fund the resources they require to succeed in their education. The MHEACA represents a crucial solution to address the mental health crisis affecting students today and support their emotional, physical, and financial well-being.

“Access to mental health care on campus is non-negotiable. We cannot allow young adults to scrape by and survive; we must provide the necessary supports and resources to help them thrive. It is crucial that we actively seek substantial policy solutions that will make mental health resources more accessible, effective, and impactful. The MHEACA offers that solution, and we must continue to support it by ensuring colleges receive the funding needed to implement the act to its full potential," said Jorge Arteaga, Midwest Advocacy Manager at Young Invincibles.

“Far too many students are struggling with their mental health, experiencing symptoms but not receiving support until they’re in crisis. We know that early intervention and prevention work. College is a critical window to connect young people with care that meets their needs before challenges escalate. Fully funding the MHEACA allows campuses to build supportive systems and avenues to treatment, rather than relying on crisis responses that are often reactive and don’t meet the full needs of young adults living with mental health conditions,” said Jen McGowan-Tomke, Chief Operating Officer at NAMI Chicago.

“Mental Health Early Action on Campus is so incredibly important. We are funding it somewhat, but one counselor on a college campus with thousands of students is just not enough. We have to fully fund it at scale, which is about $23 million, to make sure our college students all around the state have access to care and are building up their literacy on how to access mental health support and treatment so they can take that with them throughout their lives," said Representative Lindsey LaPointe.

Since 1979, NAMI Chicago has fought for families and individuals impacted by mental health conditions through promoting community wellness, breaking down barriers to mental health care and providing support and expertise for families, professionals and individuals in Chicago and beyond. Guided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on their mental health journey. To learn more, visit namichicago.org.

Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.