July 2022
Nicasa Behavioral Health Services voices our deepest condolences to the victims and families of yesterday’s shooting at the 4th of July Parade in Highland Park. We cannot begin to express our concern for the Highland Park community, those who were visiting the community for the day, and the neighboring areas around the city who are collectively devastated by this violent experience. Our hearts are heavy today as we stand in solidarity with all of the grieving families, friends, and community members whose worlds have been forever changed by this senseless act.
Nicasa Behavioral Health Services recognizes that gun violence is part of a larger systemic breakdown throughout our governmental entities as a whole, and we are committed to standing up with the victims, survivors, witnesses, and community at-large in support of their safety, trust, belonging, and well-being. With every moment of pain, grief, fear, anxiety, and depression that arises, we are here in partnership with Highland Park, as well as other local community providers, to ensure everyone receives the support and care they need.
Being a part of the Highland Park community, with an office located near the investigative area, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services will ensure the provision of bilingual and bicultural care to those in need throughout Highland Park and the surrounding areas. Our staff will work to provide brief crisis intervention counseling and assist in connecting people with basic resources so they can build upon their individual strengths and rebuild their trust in the world again. For those not ready to seek help or leave their homes, we encourage you to contact Nicasa Behavioral Health Services for virtual services. If there are times we are not available, we encourage you to reach out to your family and friends, do not isolate or remain alone, talk to children about ways that the community is working to keep them safe, try to focus on daily essentials like eating well and calming the mind, and, for any instances of overwhelming symptoms, contact local crisis hotlines, 211 (call or text your zip code to 898211), call 911, or visit your nearest emergency room/urgent care center.
These horrific times will affect the mental health and well-being of our communities. We are living in a world of pain, anger, fear, uncertainty, and injustice, but we must come together as a collective purpose to help those who need it most and to fight against the systems that affect the safety of the individuals and families we serve, and our communities. Take time out of your day and check in on your co-workers, friends, family, and neighbors. Engage in educational, constructive, and respectful conversations about what is happening in our society. We encourage you to join us and stand in solidarity with ending gun violence and building safe and healthy communities as a basic right for everyone.
June 2021
Nicasa Behavioral Health Services voices our deepest concern and condolences in regards to recent spikes in racist, hateful, and violent actions and crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. We do not support or condone any instances of hate, racism, stereotypes, and inflammatory and xenophobic political rhetoric against these individuals and their allies. We recognize that this violence and hatred is part of a larger system against all communities of color and we are committed to standing up with the AAPI community in support of their identity, culture, belonging, safety, and well-being. We also know that silence is complicit in these actions and we want the AAPI community to know we are a safe space in which anyone can be served and receive help.
Nicasa Behavioral Health Services continues to stand in solidarity against the systemic injustices that are destroying African American families and communities. Upon passing the 1-year anniversary of George Floyd's death, we remember his presence and sacrifice in catalyzing our country to look at the continuous racist injustices that are happening nationwide. Our thoughts are with his family and the countless additional lives that have been lost to violence, illness, and neglect. Generations of trauma and pain are finally being heard and over the last year we have all come together to stand up against future cycles of injustice and pain by using the powers we have to shape a better world moving forward. We recognize that many African Americans are still hurting and we want to continue engaging in meaningful dialogue and reflection to work together in providing essential care and moving our communities forward in an inclusive manner.
In these times of crisis, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services encourages everyone to come together and build strong communities. Offer trust and an open space so that all may feel safe, and where all employees are treated with dignity and respect, all children feel comfortable going to school, and all of our loved ones have the freedom to thrive in their own skin and identities.
We practice and encourage everyone to denounce violent actions and behaviors by:
- Standing up against racist attacks, both physical and verbal;
- Including everyone's voices and views in a safe and constructive manner; and
- Taking concrete actions by reporting racist incidents, checking in on friends, family, and co-workers, extending compassion and grace to others, and continuing open and positive conversation to work towards systemic change.
We know these difficult times affect the mental health and well-being of our communities. We are living in a world of pain, anger, fear, uncertainty, and injustice, but we must come together as a collective purpose to help those who need it most and to fight against the unjust systems that plague the individuals and families we serve, our communities, and the world. Take time out of your day and check in on your co-workers, friends, family, and neighbors. Engage in educational, constructive, and respectful conversations about what is happening in our society. We encourage you to join us and stand in solidarity with our AAPI, African American, Latinx, indigenous, immigrant, and LGBTQIAA+ communities.
#StopAsianHate #BlackLivesMatter #ImmigrantLivesMatter #LoveWins
June 2020
It has been a difficult time in the world as both protesting and violence is occuring in all 50 states, including within our own towns and communities, due to the injustice from the death of George Floyd and the many other black lives that have been at the hands of those that were meant to protect them. After reading and seeing the severe civil unrest that has erupted nationally, across Illinois, and in Lake County, Nicasa Behavioral Health Services stands in solidarity with the individuals and organizers who are on the frontlines, sacrificing their lives, and dismantling these racist systems in a non-violent manner. We also continue to stand in solidarity against the systemic injustices that are destroying African American lives, families, and communities.
We know these difficult times are, and will continue to, affect the mental health and well-being of our communities. We are living in a world of pain, anger, fear, uncertainty, and injustice, but we must come together as a collective purpose to help those who need it most and to fight against the unjust systems that plague the individuals and families we serve, our communities, and the world.
We have to talk about what we are feeling and seeing in order to prepare for the needs of our communities and in support of one another. Take time out of your day and check in on your co-workers, friends, family, and neighbors. Engage in educational, constructive, and respectful conversations about what is happening in our society. Tensions are high and emotions are raw, but now is the best time to work through these conversations.
Let’s work together to build a stronger community and society.
