Envision Unlimited Blog

If you've been feeling depressed, anxious, or stressed lately, you're not alone. According to statistics recently released by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the number of adults receiving mental treatment increased from 2019 to 2021.

There's a mental health crisis in our country and Envision Unlimited continues to step up with innovative approaches to help build better mental wellness for an often-overlooked population of people with disabilities.

For more than four years, Mark Daniels has been a champion of and mentor for Envision Unlimited members sharing his passion for the arts at the Westtown Center with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He has launched a recurring cartoon club, hosted field trips to the Art Institute and other Chicago-area art museums and exhibits, and most recently inspiring members to try a new physical challenge and get themselves swinging (literally) their golf clubs at the driving range.

For all of us at Envision Unlimited, 2022 has been a year of breakouts. A strong comeback from challenges we overcame during the pandemic, expanding our housing programs, innovative growth of our mental health services, record success with our employment programs, supportive and resilient new staff who have joined us, and the generous donors who continue to support our work have strengthened our foundation.

Envision Unlimited, a full spectrum of care organization that provides support to people with intellectual, development and psychiatric disabilities in Chicagoland and Central Illinois, has welcomed 110 new individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and more than 80 direct service staff with the acquisition of residential housing formerly under management of St. Coletta’s of Illinois.

Our staff is the best. That includes everyone from our direct service providers who care for our members to our clinical therapists in Mental Health Services, and from our program directors at our Day Centers to our board-certified behavior analysts in Autism Services.

Previously, we've written about what developmental disabilities are, as well as some of the more common developmental disabilities. Here, we'll cover the most common symptoms of developmental disabilities

Nearly one in five people (or 20% of the population) in the United States lives with a mental illness. Odds are, you know at least one person in your network or immediate family who struggles with a mental health disorder.

Everyone who wants a healthy lifestyle—regardless of age, gender, or ability—cannot overlook the importance of exercise. Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy weight, warding off chronic illness, and even helping extend our life expectancy.

So you've made the leap and scheduled your first therapy session. Congratulations! Therapy can be an extremely powerful tool for improving your mental health, working through difficult life issues, or getting to know yourself a little better.