Olympia Fields and Park Forest
Community Needs Analysis
Abstract
This paper will provide insight into demographic information two communities to within
the south suburban area of Illinois. The two area that focused on are Olympia Fields, IL and Park
Forest, IL. Both suburbs boarder each other, however the demographic breakdowns and numbers
paint a familiar narrative that is consistent with was we see playing out on a larger county and
state level. We will also assess the community’s mental health needs as well as access to these
services or lack thereof within the local area. There will also be a focus on the specific
population issues or trends within those communities. The populations that will be focused on is
the African American community and the Christian church community. While there has been
some progress with addressing mental health issues within the African American community
there is still much to be done. This paper will also explore the role that the church has taken and
possibly should take to help tackle the mental health crisis that is facing our towns, cities, state,
country and even the world.
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Introduction of my communities:
I live in Olympia Fields, Illinois, which is a small suburb located about 30 miles south of
Chicago. I attend church in Park Forest, Illinois which is a neighboring suburb of Olympia
Fields. Olympia Fields is a relatively small suburb. As of 2019 the population of Olympia Fields
is 4,82. The population from 2018 to 2019 did decline about 4.63%. Olympia Fields is an older
community where the median age is 48, however this trending down about 3% in recent years. In
2019 the median household income was $98,977. This is up about a 0.5% from 2018, however
the poverty rate in 2019 rose to 3.26% which is a 64.7% increase from years prior. The five
primary ethnic groups represented in Olympia Fields are Black or African American at 73.4%,
White at 21.8%, Two or more ethnicities at 3.15%, Asian at 1.39%, and 0.207% as other. 0% of
households in Olympia Fields are reported are non-English speaking households with English
being selected at their primary language and 98.3% of residents are U.S. Citizens. The median
property value in Olympia Fields was $226,500 in 2019 and the average homeownership rate
was 83.6%. (https://datausa.io)
Park Forest is quite a bit larger than Olympia Fields but the demographics and
trends in this community are a bit different. Park Forest is home to approximately 21,210
residents. According to Census.gov this represents a 3.5% decrease from 2010. The median age
for Park Forest is 39. About 10 years younger than neighboring Olympia Fields. The median
household income in 2019 was $53,938. This does represent an increase for about 5.21% from
2018. However, the poverty rate in Park Forest is 13.4%, about 10% higher than Olympia Fields.
The median property value in 2019 was $73,600. While this represent a 6% growth from 2018, it
is significantly lower than the property values in Olympia Fields. The demographic break down
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of Park Forest are as follows: 66% are Black or African American, 27% are White, 4.6% are
Hispanic or Latino, 2.8% are Two or more races, 0.5% are Asian. (https://www.census.gov)
From a health perspective I will cover Olympia Fields and Park Forest collectively. In
Olympia Fields 96% percent of the population has health care coverage with 56.6% of residents
covered on employee plans, 22.5% of residents are covered by Medicare, 5.22% of residents are
covered by Medicaid, 11.4% are on a non-group plan, and 0.2% are on a VA plan. In Park Forest
95.3% of the population have health coverage. 47.7% of residents have employee plans, but 26%
of the population has Medicaid coverage which is significantly higher than Olympia Fields.
11.5% have a Medicare plan, 9.2% have a non-group plan, and 0.7% have a VA plan
(https://datausa.io).
In Cook County, Illinois which covers the city of Chicago and approximately 30
surrounding suburbs, primary care physicians see 1055 patients per year on average. This can be
compared to dentists who see 1058 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 345
patients per year. From a behavior health perspective data was available from the state level for
2016. For adults with major depressive episodes Illinois was at 5.62% of the population affected
compared to West Virginia which the highest rate of 8.26%. For adults with serious mental
illness Illinois has approximately 3.75% of the population affected, compared to Arkansas with
5.45% of its population affected. From an access perspective, this next statistic compared states
that had the highest prevalence of mental health services used by adults with mental illness using
2015 data. Vermont ranked the highest with 56.4% of its mental health services used. Illinois
was slightly below that ranking with 45.3% of its mental health services used among adults with
a mental illness (https://datausa.io).
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Local needs assessment:
Based on the population demographic from my local communities ranging outward to the
county and state levels, there is a significant need for mental health services. In fact, it can be
described as a crisis. The COVID-19 has of course taken its toll on the world at large and has
only exacerbated an already fragile and thinly supported mental health infrastructure. Based on a
recent NPR report Illinois is facing a statewide mental health crisis. There have been significant
accessibility issues that have plagued the work force in general. Illinois residents have been
widely unable to access mental and behavioral heal providers in their communities. For years
Illinois has faced budgetary shortfalls that have been worsened by the pandemic. When that issue
is compounded with a lack of funding and extremely low Medicaid rate for mental health
services it leads to 4.9 million people in Illinois, or 38% of the population living in designated
areas with mental and behavioral health shortages (Grace Barbic, 2021).
Additionally, in Illinois the lack of access to mental health services and resources in low
income and rural areas is staggering. This has created what is called mental health deserts. In a
study done by the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Illinois, it was documented that 97.3%
of Illinois’ rural hospitals are in designated mental health shortage areas. According to
thresholds.org/unequal It is well documented that African American adolescents and adults with
mental health issues are less likely to receive medication or therapy for their condition than white
children and adults (Grace Barbic, 2021).
The Illinois Department of Public Health released a state health assessment in a wide-
ranging report that covered primary physical health with a small behavioral health component. In
this section they surveyed data from adults that reported experiencing poor mental health
conditions more than 7 days in a month. The data showed that overall, 14.8% of Illinois adults
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reported experiencing a poor mental health state for longer than one week per month. For
African American that percentage was 17.3%, for white that percentage was 14.7%, and for
Hispanic that percentage was 15.5%. While the percentage of individuals who experience a poor
mental health state did not vary widely by race or ethnicity, the access to services here in Illinois
is directly correlated to where you live and the proximity that you are within to those services.
Additionally, the report indicated that having a poor mental health state for more than one week
per month occurred more frequently in women than in men, and more frequently in youth than in
older age groups. It is also notable that suicide displayed different patters across racial lines. In
2014 over 1,300 people in Illinois committed suicide. Non-Hispanic Whites had the worst
suicide rate which was documented as being almost twice as high as other groups.
(http://www.idph.state.il.us)
There is also a need for improvement to access mental health services through insurance
plans and government sponsored coverage plans. Illinoisans face several challenges regarding
accessing mental health services depending on their insurance. While most plans are required by
Illinois and Federal law to cover mental health and addiction treatment services in the plan
access and approval can be difficult. A 2017 report done by National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI) outlined in detail some of the barriers that Illinoisans must navigate when attempting to
peruse mental health treatment. For instance, the survey found that patients seeking mental
health services from private insurance were denied at a rate of double that of when they sought
coverage for medical services. The situation is a bit more dire when it comes to people covered
by Medicaid. Nearly 60% of survey respondents reported that they were often or always denied
for inpatient mental health and addiction treatment (https://www.paritytrack.org).
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Identification of a specific population or issue:
Communities of color have historically been disenfranchised through this history of
America. Ironically one of the things that can help the African American community heal from
the trauma that is has experienced overall and for people at an individual level in their personal
lives has been so heavily stigmatized that it is often rejected or not actively sought after. Couple
that stigmatism with community disparities, lack of access, and lack of representation only
compound the need for focus on this group. When mental health is not supported or goes
untreated then in can lead to other more serious issues such as, substance use continues, poor
education and limited social development in children, and more.
According to Mental Health America, African American that live below the poverty line
are twice as likely to report serious psychological or mental health distress than those that are
living well above the poverty line. African Americans are more likely to struggle with feelings of
hopelessness, self-worth, and sadness versus white adults. While Black Americans are less likely
to die from suicide than whites, Black teenagers are more likely to attempt suicide. In Illinois
blacks are incarcerated at nearly nine time the rate of whites. This has become the unfortunate
alternative to treatment and affordable housing because of lack of early access to mental health
services and substance use treatment.
Despite most of these the grim outlook of several of these statistics the black community
still, understandability so, struggle with our attitude and posture towards counseling. One of the
ways to support changing this is through the church. The church is a trusted entity in the black
community. Pastors and ministers are generally seen as trustworthy and knowledgeable resources
in the community. This is approach is not without from pitfalls that we’ve seen and
acknowledged in recent history. The black church and community hold firm to the belief that
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symptoms like anxiety and depression are due to lack of prayer and or faith, and in time faith in
Christ will heal them. This has likely prevented many folks from seeking psychological help and
receiving a true breakthrough (Sutton, 2020). The bible says in 2 Peter 1:3 that His divine power
has granted us all this that pertain to life and godliness, the knowledge of him who call us to his
glory and excellence (ESV, 2001, 2 Peter 1:3). We must break the cycle in the black community
and the church has a pivotal role to play in doing just that. Historically the church has always
played a pivotal role in the life of its congregants and community overall. While some
percentage of members of the community may not attend church regularly folks in black
communities will still likely be influenced by a church in their community. In a study cited by
from the PEW research center it stated that 94% of African Americans have a firm believe in God;
91% say that religion and faith are important to them; 47% attend church weekly; 36% attend
approximately once per month; and 60% say that they attend church at least once or twice per year.
Churches have always provided services to the community such as physical, medical, and
financial education. Many pastors and spiritual community leaders work diligently to fight other
issues that plaque our community such as lack of housing, jobs, the criminal justice system, and
access to programs (Sutton, 2020).
With that said it is vitally important to have trained culturally competent counseling
resources available through the church. One thing that the church has the opportunity to do is
meet its community where it is. This is at the heart of the ecological perspective. Recognizing
that the community citizens need things like housing, jobs, medical screening, etc. have always
been imperative and paramount to helping change the lives of people. However, the next step in
creating a well-rounded environment that acknowledges the individuals that make up the
community and gaining a psychological understanding how those individuals are impacted by
the various elements in their environment and therefore being better positioned to create a
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therapeutic approach that will help improve their overall mental health (Scott & Wolfe, 2015). The
story of Alfred Young and his work in in his Covington, Louisiana community was moving
beyond words and simply amazing. This is an excellent example of how to take biblical
principles coupled with a sound strategy and therapeutic approach to literally turn a community
around. Furthermore, this is an excellent example of just how effective and instrumental
churches can be in help to reshape the live of its constituents and surrounding community
members (June & Black, 2002). To God be the glory.
Local resources assessment:
The good news is that there are resources here in Illinois that are available to people that
are making a difference. Grand Prairie Services (GPS) is a not-for-profit behavioral healthcare
provider with over 66 years of experience providing outpatient counseling and mental health
services. The organization began in 1950 as a counseling agency in Park Forest, and then merged
in 1956 with social service groups representing Park Forest, Chicago Heights, Homewood, and
Harvey. Over the past years and continuing today, the organization has responded to its primary
service area by offering a comprehensive continuum of professional behavioral healthcare
services to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors living in the thirty-two municipalities of
Bloom, Bremen, Rich, and Thornton townships.
Sertoma Center, Inc. is a Mental Health and Counseling provider in the south suburbs of
Chicago. They offer Community Mental Health and Counseling programs and services support
adults who experience mental illness to work toward personal recovery. Their attitude about
recovery is recovery is the idea that people can improve their health and wellness and live a full
and meaningful life, all while having a mental illness. Sertoma offers Psychosocial
Rehabilitation, Youth Mental Health Services, Crisis stabilization, Residential Case Management
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and Housing, Counseling Services through private insurance, Outpatient Therapy Services, and
Community support.
Heartland Human Services offers a range of services for the surrounding community such
as Mental Health services, Substance Use Disorder treatment services, Geriatric services, First
Responder services and Individual Placement and support. Their Mental Health services include
a range of options including individual, group, and relationship therapy, crisis services,
community integrated living arrangements – a 24 residential service program for adults who
have mental illness, community integration services – a rehabilitive group service that provide
activities for adults living with persistent mental illness, case management services, and
psychiatric services.
The Will County Health Department & Community Health Center Provides Behavioral
Health Services to Adults, Children and Adolescents. They offer several programs to residents
and the community. The Acute Community Service (ACS) Program provides services and
support needed by unfunded individuals to achieve and continue stabilization from their
experience of psychiatric crisis. The Adult Outpatient Mental Health Program, helps individuals
with serious mental illness function in critical life areas including physical, emotional, social,
work, family, financial etc. The Child and Adolescent Outpatient Mental Health Program is a
community based, culturally competent mental health outreach model that serves children and
adolescents ages 3-17 with symptoms of serious emotional disorders. The Family Support
program is provided by the State of Illinois to assist parents or private guardians in paying the
costs of intense services and/or residential care for children with severe mental illness under the
age of 21. Their Projects For Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) Program
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provides services for those adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless with a
severe mental illness and/or a severe mental illness and a co-occurring substance abuse disorder.
The South Suburban Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse is an
experienced substance use, mental health, and recovery home provider. They work to deliver a
continue of treatment and recovery support services to residents of the greater Chicago
Southland.
Centerstone helps children, adolescents, adults, seniors, and their families who suffer
from a myriad of behavioral health challenges. Centerstone is one of the nation’s largest
behavioral healthcare organizations providing a full range of mental health services, substance
use treatment, intellectual and developmental disability services, housing, educational services,
and community supports for people of all ages. Centerstone has location throughout the county
including Illinois. Centerstone exists to help individuals from all walks of life in need.
Personal reflection:
This project has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation for the demographic
details that I learned about my communities especially as I dug deeper into each of them. The
thing that stands out the most to me is the fact that we are all a part of multiple communities.
Geographically I am part of two main communities the one in which I live (Olympia Fields) and
the one in which I worship and fellowship (Park Forest). I’m also part of the African American
community, and my church community. For me this means that I feel I have a responsibility to
each of these communities. I want to contribute to each of them in a positive way. It was also
very fascinating to zoom out to a somewhat macro level and assess how mental health needs are
developing in my count and state, and how that translate to my African American community.
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One thing stands out above all for me which is, there is work to do. The mental health movement
has just begun to scratch the surface but there is momentum. Currently my wife and are working
with our church ministry to start counseling program for the community. It means a great deal to
me to be a part of that developing organization, but it also means a great deal more to me be able
to help change people’s live. I will leave with a quote from the World Health Organization,
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence
of disease or infirmity.”
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References:
Barbic, G. (2021, May 14). Disinvestment, Pandemic Leave Illinois' State Of Mental Health
Care In ‘Crisis’. NPR. Retrieved from https://news.stlpublicradio.org/government-politics-
issues/2021-05-14/disinvestment-pandemic-leave-illinois-state-of-mental-health-care-in-
crisis
Black And African American Communities And Mental Health. Mental Health America.
Retrieved from https://www.mhanational.org/issues/black-and-african-american-
communities-and-mental-health
Crisis/Emergency: Mental Health Partners/Providers. Illinois Department of Human Services.
Retrieved from https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30893
English Standard Version Bible. (2001)
Illinois Department of Public Health. State Health Assessment. Retrieved from
http://www.idph.state.il.us/ship/icc/documents/State-Health-Assessment-Final-091316.pdf
Illinois Providers Report Barriers to Mental Health and Addiction Coverage for Their Patients.
Issue Brief. Retrieved from https://www.paritytrack.org/app/uploads/2017/09/20170919-IL-
MHSUD-Coverage-Provider-Survey-Report-Final.pdf
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June L. N. and Black S. D. (2002). Counseling for Seeming Impossible Problems. Grand Rapids,
MI: Christian Research & Development
Olympia Fields, IL. Data USA. Retrieved from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/olympia-fields-
il#about
Park Forest, IL. Data USA. Retrieved from https://datausa.io/profile/geo/park-forest-il
QuickFacts. United States Census. Retrieved from
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/parkforestvillageillinois/PST045219
Scott, V. C. & Wolfe, S.M. (2015). Community Psychology Foundations For Practice. Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Sutton L. (2020). What Role Does The African American Church Play When Meeting The
Mental Health Needs of Its African American Parishioners? (Doctoral Dissertation).
Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/472
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