405 ILCS 160/10: Purpose.

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

The purpose of this Act is to improve the quality and access to behavioral health crisis services; reduce stigma surrounding suicide, mental health, and substance use conditions; provide a behavioral health crisis response that is equivalent to the response already provided to individuals who require emergency physical health care in the State; improve equity in addressing mental health and substance use conditions; ensure a culturally and linguistically competent response to behavioral health crises and saving lives; build a new system of equitable and linguistically appropriate behavioral crisis services in which all individuals are treated with respect, dignity, cultural competence, and humility; and comply with the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020 and the Federal Communication Commission's rules adopted July 16, 2020 to ensure that all citizens and visitors of the State of Illinois receive a consistent level of 9-8-8 and crisis behavioral health services no matter where they live, work, or travel in the State.