Will County Gazette

Sen. Elgie R. Sims Jr. is looking forward to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly in minority communities.

In a July 8 Facebook post, Sims, Jr. highlighted Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.

"Minority Mental Health Month strives to bring awareness to the resources and services available to minority communities and break the stigma surrounding mental health. Learn more at https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/minority-mental-health," Sims said.

Sims was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2018. A Democrat, their legislative experience includes serving on the Appropriations-Human Services and Business Growth & Incentives. Sims is a state senator who resides in Chatham, Chicago, according to the Illinois Senate.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health explains the month this way: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it harder for racial and ethnic minority groups to get access to mental health and substance use treatment services. Throughout the month, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will focus on promoting tools and resources addressing the stigma about mental health among racial and ethnic minority populations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February, Sims sponsored Senate Bill 3932, which would streamline local police investigations to strengthen searches for unsolved missing person cases. It would require a coroner or medical examiner with custody of human remains that are not identified within 72 hours of discovery to immediately notify the Federal Bureau of Investigation for assistance in the identification, according to a press release.