Medical/Health and Wellness Resources
Mental Health for Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Navigate Life Texas, a project to inform and empower parents of children with disabilities or special healthcare needs, has a Mental Health for Children With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities page. This page provides ideas on how to talk to your healthcare provider and the people working with your child if you think your child might be having mental health symptoms.
Mental Health Online Screening
One of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition is to take a mental health screening at mhascreening.org. The screening is free and anonymous.
Taking a screen can help you to better understand what you are experiencing and get helpful resources. After that, consider talking to someone you trust about your results and seek out a professional to find the support you need.
Mental Health Resources for Kids, Teens and Young Adults
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has resources geared toward kids, teens and young adults. NAMI also provides a coloring and activity book and step-by-step guidance to help parents explore and talk to children about emotional topics or mental health challenges.Mental Health Resources for LGBTQI Individuals
The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersexed (LGBTQI) community represents a wide diversity of thought, perspective, understanding and experience. For individuals identifying as LGBTQI, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a variety of resources as well as important things to consider when seeking an LGBTQI-competent mental health care professional.
Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal
Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal provides food to nonprofit agencies across Central Illinois and beyond. Organizations include food pantries, homeless shelters, residential programs and children’s food programs. In an effort to serve more agencies, Midwest Food Bank offers volunteer opportunities and several off-site places where agencies can pick up food.
Midwest Food Bank of Illinois-Bloomington-Normal’s website also includes:
- Frequently asked questions about the food bank with more information
- Help with finding food resources in your area
Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery
The Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery offers a safe, loving place for your child to stay while you address whatever difficult situation or needs you may have. In addition to crisis childcare, Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery provides a basic needs pantry, a family support program and Nurturing Families™ parenting classes.
For more information or individual support, contact the Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery at (217) 525-6800.
Miracle Flights provides free commercial airline tickets to pediatric patients ages 17 and under in need of life-changing medical care far from home. Families must meet certain requirements and apply online using the online application for requesting each flight.
The organization also provides flights for service dog retrieval and/or training. Miracle Flights’ service dog program is open to all individuals who need help retrieving/training their service dog.
Miracle League of Central Illinois
The Miracle League of Central Illinois is a league for children and adults with disabilities that enables them to play baseball on a specially designed adaptive field. The Miracle League of Central Illinois and the town of Normal, Ill., partner to provide this program to a wide range of participants. Scholarships are available to help youth of all abilities participate.
Visit the Miracle League of Central Illinois website to learn more.
Miracle League of Joliet
The Miracle League of Joliet is a non-profit baseball league for children and young adults (ages 4 to 19) with disabilities. The rules emphasize participation, with every player getting a turn to bat in each inning. A volunteer “Buddy” assists each player at bat and on the field.
League games take place on a custom-designed field featuring a rubberized turf, free from obstacles to ensure players can round the bases and play baseball safely. Visit the Miracle League of Joliet website for more details.
The MISS Foundation provides support for families struggling with traumatic grief. Its website provides quick access to counseling resources, advocacy information, research on traumatic grief, education for healthcare providers and community members, and support services for those grieving the death or impending death of a child.
The foundation also offers Family Support Packets with information and resources for bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.