After 50 years of service, Douglas County is about to lose its only behavioral health provider. RISE Behavioral Health and Wellness will close its doors next month, leaving many without local access to mental health care.
Executive Director Lauren Christina says the decision to close was not one they wanted to make, but one they felt they had no choice but to make.
“For lots of years we’ve navigated raising operational costs, workforce shortage, its been really difficult to fund our services, fund our staff and hire staff who want to work in rural communities. Reimbursement rates haven’t kept up with the true cost of care,” said Lauren Christina, RISE Behavioral Health Executive Director.
RISE serves about 350 clients, seeing roughly 35 people a day, ranging from young children to seniors. As the closure approaches, staff are working one-on-one with each client to ensure continuity of care and prevent anyone from falling through the cracks.
“ talking individually with clients about what they need, what they’re looking for in their next chapter, how they feel supported, and then making those referrals that warm welcome so to speak of,” said Lauren Christina, RISE Behavioral Health Executive Director.
Advocates say the impact will extend beyond the organization itself.
NAMI Illinois says the closure represents a broader disruption to the community.
“The loss of a provider like RISE is more than an organizational closure; it is a community-level disruption. When a rural mental health provider closes, people often must travel long distances for care, join waitlists in surrounding areas, or forgo treatment altogether.”
Christina says that reality is deeply concerning.
“I’m not immune to the fact that this means that some people won’t receive mental health services, that they just won’t have the access. and as much as we’re trying to prevent that, you know, i think in some instances, it’s inevitable. and, and that is the most devastating of all,” said Lauren Christina, RISE Behavioral Health Executive Director.
One Douglas County resident who did not want to go on camera called the decision heartbreaking and said they hate to see such an important resource leave the community.
RISE Behavioral Health and Wellness says its last day of clinical services will be May 22.