Bears publish mental health resources for World Mental Health Day
The Chicago Bears on Oct. 10 published a compilation of mental health resources and crisis hotlines in recognition of World Mental Health Day, the team announced. The club listed national and regional phone numbers, text lines and local services intended to help anyone struggling with emotional, psychological or social distress. The post included crisis hotlines, specialty lines and links to articles offering steps and tips for improving mental wellness and supporting others. The team provided the resources to make help easier to find for people in need.
National contacts listed by the team include the national suicide prevention number, 988; the Crisis Text Line (text NAMI to 741-741); and The Trevor Project at 866-488-7386 or text “Trevor” to 202-304-1200 for LGBTQ+ youth. The Bears also listed the National Hopeline Network at 800-784-2433, Nineline at 800-999-9999 and the National Runaway Switchboard at 800-621-4000 or 800-786-2929. Hotlines for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence appear with the number 800-656-4673. The post included text and online chat details for some services where available.
The team included Chicago-area and regional resources such as Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center crisis line at 773-296-5380, the Crisis Line of Fox County at 630-966-9393 and the Crisis Line Will County at 630-759-4555. It listed In-Touch (UIC) at 312-996-5535 and noted it is open seven days a week from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The post also included Resurrection Crisis Line at 708-681-HELP (4357) and Trilogy Crisis Line at 800-322-8400. Additional community and specialty lines named were Center on Halsted (773-929-4357), GLBT National Hotline (888-843-4564) and the DHS Warm Line (866-359-7953).
The Bears cited statistics in their post, saying mental illness affects more than 50 million people in the United States. The team noted that one in five American adults will struggle with a mental health condition this year and fewer than half receive treatment. It said one in six American youth experience a mental health condition annually and only about half receive care. The post also stated the pandemic had a marked negative impact on mental health and included links to articles with practical steps and tips.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The Bears’ consolidation of national and local mental-health resources highlights the role NFL clubs can play in community outreach beyond the field. With published statistics showing high prevalence and significant treatment gaps, making crisis lines and specialty services easy to find is a practical step to connect people to immediate help. Elevating mental-health awareness on observances such as World Mental Health Day can help reduce stigma and promote use of existing supports, particularly where local hotlines and hospital-affiliated lines can provide timely assistance.