SIRSS in the News

IllinoisChannelTV Mental Healthcare Service in Illinois.  We talk one on one with Karen Freitag, of Southern Illinois Regional Social Services, about the impact of the state's fiscal crisis on providers of mental healthcare services.  Click here for full video.

Forby:  Mental health and drug treatment services cannot be cut.  State Senator Gary Forby urges a more measured and fair approach to upcoming cuts in State funding.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, May 19, 2011.

More than 100 Walk the Blues Away.  SIRSS celebrates Mental Health Month by hosting their annual Walk the Blues Away, making the connection between mental health and physical fitness.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, May 14, 2011.

Walk showcases innovative community partnership.  SIRSS, The H Group, and Shawnee Health Service join forces for this year's Walk the Blues Away, highlighting the importance of exercise and outdoor activity in mental health.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, May 13, 2011.

SIRSS recognizes Saxon, Ridgeway.  SIRSS congratulates staff members Verletta Saxon and Shelly Ridgeway for their recent achievements.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, May 4, 2011.

Mental health:  Open up and say it out loud.  Sarah Miranti, mentoring specialist in SIRSS' youth programs, addresses the importance of talking about mental health issues and seeking treatment when needed.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, March 29, 2011.

SIRSS receives $10,000 grant to "Say It Out Loud".  The grant, awarded through the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, is intended to help counteract the negative stigma of mental illness and help parents, teachers and physicians learn to recognize mental health concerns in children.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, February 25, 2011.

Rehab spending slashed in budget.  Executive Director Karen Freitag shares that SIRSS is still waiting for an official notice as to the extent of the proposed cuts to alcohol and drug prevention and treatment services.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, February 23, 2011.

Depression is a common thing for men.  Mike Rohling, Crisis Services manager at SIRSS, descirbes the common symptoms of depression in men and how to get help.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, February 8, 2011.

Social services hardly on Easy Street.  Additional funding cuts to mental health services are likely as the State prepares the 2012 fiscal year budget.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, January 22, 2011.

Bigs help the Littles.  Ramona Girtman, Supervisor of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson & Perry Counties, shares how adult mentors can make a difference in the lives of community youth.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, January 21, 2011.

Treating mental illness can be tricky.  Cathy Moehring, Quality Improvement Director at SIRSS, and Jean Alstat, Director of Youth Services, share how important it is to overcome stigma and other barriers to treatment.  Read the full story in The Southern Illinoisan, January 16, 2011.

Make sure resolutions are realistic, manageable.  Kathryn Sime, Development Specialist at SIRSS, shares how small changes can lead to a happy and healthy new year.  Click here for the full story from The Southern Illinoisan, January 11, 2011.

State offers little help for gambling addictions.  Bonna Machlan, manager of SIRSS' Substance Abuse Recovery Services program comments on options available for local addicts.  Click here for the full story from The Southern Illinoisan, January 4, 2011.