The Arukah Institute of Mental Health wants the LaSalle County Board’s help to remodel a new mental health space they want to create. Founder and CEO Dr. Sarah Scruggs says she wants to start a mental health space called a Living Room on E. Joliet Street in Ottawa. The space would be like a home setting where people could come at any time and receive help. Scruggs says you don’t have to be in crisis to get help.
Grant money has helped with Arukah get other programs started.But a grant that’s helping them start the Ottawa Living Room has deadlines.
Scruggs also says the Illinois Valley is an underserved area for mental health resources. She says the suicide rate is 63% higher than the rest of state. And from 2020 to 2022, overdose deaths in LaSalle County alone went up 80%.