FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 27, 2026 CONTACT: Gov.Press@illinois.gov
SPRINGFIELD — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Illinois high schoolers for a youth mental health roundtable to discuss ongoing efforts to support the mental health and well-being of students across Illinois. Coinciding with Mental Health Awareness Month, the roundtable brought together representatives from education, public health, and community organizations to share updates, identify gaps, and strengthen coordination across state agencies.
Throughout his administration, Governor Pritzker has made unprecedented investments to prioritize mental health programs and services in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Mental Health Division budget alone has increased from around $600 million in FY19 to over $1 billion in the proposed FY27 budget — supporting Illinoisans statewide with critical mental health services.
“Mental health will be defined as one of the most impactful issues of our time, and I am committed to ensuring Illinoisans can access the care they deserve,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is delivering new programs, resources, and interagency efforts to better support the mental health of all Illinoisans. As we continue to develop new policies to protect and support our people, it’s vital to hear from youth across the state about their unique experiences and uplift their voices.”
Nationwide, young people today face a distinct social landscape that can have major impacts on their mental health — especially in the age of social media — making options for support more critical than ever. Leaders at the roundtable emphasized the importance of continued partnership between Illinois’ state agencies, schools, and community organizations to meet the needs of students and families.
“Mental health is foundational to a young person’s ability to learn, grow, and thrive,” said Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). “Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois is investing in better coordination, stronger school-community partnerships, and tools that help young people and families succeed. During this Mental Health Awareness Month and every month, IDPH is committed to working across government and alongside community partners to strengthen systems of care and ensure young people have the meaningful support they need to build brighter futures.”
Governor Pritzker has taken decisive action to support youth mental health in Illinois:
“Young people across Illinois are facing real mental health challenges, and it’s our responsibility to make sure support is accessible, coordinated, and centered around their needs,” said Dana Weiner, Chief Officer for Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation. “Bringing partners together in this way helps ensure students and families can get connected to the right supports.”
“The mental health of our students is critical to their success in school and in life,” said State Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders. “Illinois has made meaningful investments to expand access to supports, and continued collaboration will help ensure students and families can connect to the care they need.”
In recent years, Illinois has built a more coordinated system of student mental health supports, including expanding access to behavioral health services, providing statewide support through Social and Emotional Learning Hubs, and supporting school-based efforts through Resilience-Supportive Schools Illinois.
Additionally, IDPH supports the Illinois Children’s Mental Health Partnership, which advises state agencies on implementing strategies to provide comprehensive mental health services for children and their families across a full continuum of care. The Board promotes youth engagement through a designated Youth Council that uplifts student voices by giving youth members the opportunity to annually recommend improvements to youth mental health policy across the state. Additionally, IDPH and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) continue to emphasize social media safety among their stakeholder groups.
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