The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office (CCSAO) would like to remind the public that mental health is just as important as physical health. An increase in anxiety, stress, and depression creates a greater need for mental health resources. Services are available throughout Cook County to help those in need. The CCSAO provides resources for victims of crime; resources to obtain mental health services for a family member; and resources for those charged with an offense.
If your immediate safety is threatened, call 911 for help. Additional support is available by calling the Illinois Domestic Violence Help Line at 877- 863-6339.
If a person with a mental illness is in immediate danger or putting another person in immediate danger, (threatening to harm self or another) call 911. When calling 911, disclose to the dispatcher that there is a mental health crisis and ask for a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officer. The CIT officers are trained to de-escalate mental health crises and to connect people to mental health care.
CCSAO Victim Witness Unit (773) 674-7200
How to obtain a Petition and Order for Detention and Examination
A Petition and Order for Detention and Examination (referred to as a Writ ) allows a person who is aware of someone suffering from a mental illness and in need of an immediate evaluation by a doctor to protect that person, themselves or others from physical harm to get an emergency court order to force them to be examined by a mental health professional. Threatening behavior that has occurred within the last two weeks usually meets the criteria for an ‘emergency’. If you are concerned about someone struggling with mental illness and are unsure if your circumstances would meet the criteria for a writ, please call.
To speak to a CCSAO Mental Health Unit intake specialist to determine eligibility to obtain a Petition and Order for Detention and Examination please call (312)603-8600. Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. There is no appointment necessary and obtaining a Petition and Order for Detention and Examination is free of charge.
CCSAO Mental Health Unit Daley Center
50 W. Washington, Suite 2750
Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-8600
Treatment Court Programs:
The CCSAO plays an active role and fully supports the diversion of eligible cases to treatment courts including of Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and the Veterans Treatment Courts. Learn more about available diversion programs for misdemeanor and felony cases.
Email sao.diversionreferrals@cookcountyil.gov for more information about eligibility for diversion programs.
Resources outside of the CCSAO
Cermak Health Services of Cook County
Cook County Health-Mental Health and Substance Abuse (844) 433-8793
Chicago Department of Public Health – Chicago Connects
National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago (833) 626-4244
Roseland Community Triage Center (773) 291-2500
Westside Community Triage and Wellness Center (773) -745-2620