Public Act 97-1147, known as "Erin’s Law," requires Illinois school districts to add age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education to the health curriculum for students, as well as in-service training for school personnel. The purpose of Erin’s Law is to equip children with awareness of sexual abuse so that they report abuse and, ultimately, to reduce victimization.

Additional information and resources are available at www.erinslaw.org.

Sometimes, things can feel overwhelming, and it's important to ask for help. The following are some resources for anyone who needs assistance.

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  •  Call or Text  988  

The Lifeline is available for everyone. It is free and confidential. For anyone who is thinking about suicide, who is worried about a friend or loved one, or who would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

Information is also available at https://988lifeline.org.      

McHenry County Crisis Line •  800-892-8900

The McHenry County Mental Health Board provides quality behavioral health (mental health and substance use disorder) and intellectual/developmental disability prevention and treatment services for all people of McHenry County, Illinois.

For help, call the crisis line above, or visit their website at www.MC708.org   

In addition, "McHelp" is a free anonymous app that allows users to confidentially text or talk to a licensed mental health counselor. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  For information about the app, visit: https://thecfmc.org/receive/community-initiatives/mchelp.

Illinois Dept of Human Services •  211  

211 is available on a 24-hour basis to connect residents to a wide variety of human services or social services across the state.