AHE Mental Health Workgroup
Registration for the 2026 Systems in Sync in-person event is now open!
The theme for the Systems in Sync 2026 event is partnering to improve access to behavioral health services and promote community wellness. The free event will be held on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago in Woodlawn. The day will consist of interactive presentations from community partners, a panel discussion featuring young adults with lived experience, a guided connection session, and workshops to build capacity for partnership and collaboration. While focused on those who work in mental health and connected areas in Chicago and Suburban Cook County, the event is open to all. Lunch will be provided.
About the AHE Mental Health Workgroup
The Alliance for Health Equity Mental Health Workgroup was formed as a response to the Cook County-wide Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Mental health and substance use repeatedly come up as a top health issue in communities across Chicago and Suburban Cook County. The workgroup is designed to align and amplify efforts by hospitals, health departments, and community organizations to improve mental health and wellness through collaboration, partnership, and support. The workgroup is guided by priority areas and cross cutting strategies that were chosen in partnership with workgroup members to best support their efforts and the community.
The Mental Health Workgroup meets monthly for one hour, generally on the second Tuesday at 10am. The workgroup supports members by working closely with the Cook County Department of Public Health and Chicago Department of Public Health to align and support efforts. The workgroup also seeks out funding and partnership opportunities to further the programs and priorities of the group and group members. In past years, the workgroup has created an Opioid Task Force, hosted Mental Health First Aid trainings, and conducted Trauma Informed Care training with providers.
In 2025, the Mental Health Workgroup launched a new initiative, Systems in Sync: Partnering for Equitable Mental Wellness focused on partnership and collaboration. The initiative is described in more detail below.
Interested in joining the Mental Health Workgroup?
About Systems in Sync
Systems in Sync is an initiative of the Alliance for Health Equity Mental Health Workgroup which is convened by Illinois Public Health Institute. The goals of the initiative are:
Serve as a catalyst for partnership and collaboration in the behavioral health space in Chicago and Suburban Cook County
Increase mutual awareness of behavioral health programs and initiatives across sectors and organizations
Highlight the importance of partnership and collaboration in the current political environment
Provide ongoing support and resources for behavioral health organizations creating and strengthening partnerships
In support of these goals, we hold quarterly virtual meetings that spotlight news, events, programs, and developments in the behavioral health space and an annual, free, in-person event in the fall. The inaugural event was held last year, with a theme of sharing space and initiating connections. Over 80 individuals from more than 50 organizations attended last year’s event. You can watch a video of the presentations and panel from the 2025 event below or register for the 2026 event here.
All photos by Timmy Samuel, Starbelly Studios