Officials celebrate expansion of crisis stabilization center's hours; 'This is a critical component ... to safely reduce our local jail population'

Aug. 20—Comfortable couches, aquamarine walls and a serene indoor waterfall fountain are some of the features inside the Living Room Wellness Center in Waukegan.

The space was created to be a respite for people suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders; a place where they can access basic necessities such as food, showers, clean clothes and transportation.

The Living Room Wellness Center at 1730 Washington St. opened in August, 2020 and is managed by the Independence Center, an alternative to an emergency room for those facing mental health struggles.

On Thursday, officials from throughout Lake County gathered there for a reopening ceremony that marked the upcoming expansion of the center's service hours.

The 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. open schedule will soon move to a 24/7 availability, providing law enforcement who encounter those experiencing mental health symptoms and distress after hours with a better option than putting them in a jail cell.

"This is a critical component of Lake County's ongoing effort to safely reduce our local jail population," sheriff's office spokesman Lt. Christopher Covelli said.

The Living Room program offers crisis intervention, peer counseling and individual safety and crisis planning at no cost.

By treating those who enter as guests in a setting that feels like a home, with a TV, refrigerator, washer and dryer, donated clothes and someone to talk to, the county is aiming to deinstitutionalize behavioral health services, officials said.

The program has served more than 300 people since it was started last year, said Independence Center board president Judy Shaffer.

"Our staff help people," she said.

Speaking of the community's need for more mental health services, so that "jails aren't de facto health facilities for those with behavioral issues, who then cycle in and out of the local justice system" was sheriff's office chief of staff Anthony Vega.

"In Lake County, on average 40% of our jail population is on some sort of psychotropic medication," he said. "This is not how our criminal justice system was intended, and it's not in the best interest of those who need treatment and care."

The COVID pandemic exacerbated that.

Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart told the crowd that according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there's been an increase of 36% in demand for mental health services.

The Opioid Initiative and A Way Out program were also discussed as measures the county has taken to lend aid to those who are facing a mental illness or have a substance-use condition.

The Lake County Opioid Initiative has more than 200 organizations and 300 individuals working on reducing and ending overdose and dependence on opioids, according to its website.

A Way Out program is a Lake County law enforcement assisted diversion program designed to fast-track those who need treatment to substance abuse programs and services.

There are more than 50 law enforcement agencies in the county that offer the program, Gurnee Police Chief Brian Smith said.

Following the ceremony hosted in the parking lot of the building, officials were invited inside the Living Room, where recovery program coordinator Fritz Gelin offered a tour and an idea of what the process looks like for guests of the program.

After being greeted and offered food and an opportunity to rest, shower and wash their clothes, a preliminary assessment is taken to find out what the guests need.

A peer counselor listens to what their immediate crisis is — be it homelessness, unemployment or medical.

One of those lending assistance is Alex Stojanovic.

The recovery support specialist in A Way Out Program is himself in recovery. He said his experiences provide him with a compassionate approach he believes to be of great help to those he works with daily.

"I'm not judgmental," Stojanovic said. "I had my own journey that led me into recovery, so I'm able to let them tell their story, because however we got there we're here now."

He said he encourages them, and gives them hope.

"If I can do it, anybody can do it," Stojanovic said. "I've felt the shame, remorse, guilt and self-pity. But it's possible to move forward."

According to officials, the 24/7 crisis stabilization center is being made possible thanks to the public, private and nonprofit collaboration that has worked for the past seven years.

More than 70 community stakeholders representing people with lived experiences, law enforcement, hospitals and health care, judges, elected officials, fire departments and citizens, were vital to the work that was celebrated at Thursday's ceremony.

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