Come stop by!

Envision Unlimited has opened up a Mental Health Drop-In Center. It is located at 9648 Pulaski Road, Oak Lawn IL, 60453. The Drop-In Center is open Monday through Friday evenings from 3pm to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons from 12pm to 4pm. It is open every day except major holidays. To contact the Drop-In Center, call 708-512-0048.

What is Envision Unlimited?

Envision Unlimited is a non-profit organization that supports people with intellectual disabilities and mental health conditions through various programs throughout the state of Illinois. To learn more about Envision Unlimited’s mission and history click here: https://www.envisionunlimited.org/about-us.

What is a Drop-In Center?

A drop-in center refers to a place where a targeted population (in this case people who live with mental health conditions) can come in and enjoy free services. There are a few drop-in centers in Illinois and around the country that offer a comfortable social setting in which people can come in anytime during business hours and partake in activities or just spend time with peers. One of the beneficial aspects of a drop-in center is that it is not staffed by psychotherapists, but by people with similar lived experiences who are trained to offer support and compassion through peer-to-peer interactions.

A drop-in center is not intended for crisis support. If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis there are a number of resources that you can seek out. The first one is the new 988 crisis line. Simply dial 9-8-8 to be connected to a trained crisis line worker. Additionally, NAMI (the National Alliance on Mental Illness) offers support through their Living Rooms. For more information about NAMI’s local Living Rooms click here: https://namimetsub.org/recovery-programs/the-living-room/.

What purpose does the Drop-In Center serve?

You may ask: if the Drop-In Center is not for crises, then what is it for? The primary purpose of the Drop-In Center is to offer social support and integration for those living with mental health conditions. According to a study published in the Journal of Behavioral Health Services and Research, social supports are a key source of psychological health and meaningful activities are important in helping individuals with their recovery journey.

Many of Envision Unlimited’s clients are transitioning out of hospital or institutional settings and face unique challenges around socialization, recreation, and support systems. This is also true of many other people living in our local suburbs. Social isolation is incredibly detrimental to mental health, yet it is difficult for many of us to avoid. The Drop-In Center offers a space where individuals are welcomed as they are and supported with their own goals related to wellness.

What can one expect if they walk in?

When you walk in, you can expect to be greeted by one of Envision Unlimited’s peer mentors. They will ask you to sign in and then you are free to interact within the space as you feel comfortable. There are board games, card games, coloring books, art supplies, books, a TV, two desktop computers, snacks, and cozy furniture. An activities calendar is posted on the bulletin board (or you can request a personal copy) so you know what activities are planned for the month. The space is intended to feel like a home away from home.