Healthy Chicago Podcast

CDPH recently launched the City of Chicago’s first Street Psychiatry model, a structured plan of care incorporating psychiatric and medical services being provided directly to people in community settings to close gaps in treatment and support continuity of care.

CDPH designed the model around the needs of the City’s highest-acuity population, specifically people experiencing homelessness or housing instability who are living with complex behavioral health needs and may not consistently connect with traditional care. The innovative behavioral health approach remains relatively uncommon nationwide, with New York City and Los Angeles among the few cities that have established similar models.

Ryann Billitteri (Projects Administrator) speaks with Chicago’s first Street Psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Jackson, about what this program of care entails, how it intends to extend care outside traditional clinical settings, and what drives the necessity and compassion for such treatment.

Learn more about CDPH’s behavioral health program at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/behavioral_health.html

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to acknowledge survivors, their families, and those all around us impacted by domestic violence.

Laura Ng (Project Manager at Department of Family & Support Services) speaks with Carla R. Gutierrez (Chair of the Mayor’s Office’s Gender-Based Violence Task Force) and survivor Kimberly L. McGee (Taskforce liaison for the Survivor Leader Working Group) on defining domestic violence, the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, providing available resources, and why it’s important to talk about dispelling myths and normalizations.

If you need help, contact the 24/7 Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline at 877-863-6338. For more information on supportive services, please visit chi.gov/dvhelp.

This respiratory illness season, CDPH strongly recommends everyone receives the flu, COVID-19, and RSV immunizations recommended for them.

Dr. Brian Borah, State Epidemiologist at Illinois Department of Public Health (and the former, frequent host of Healthy Chicago Podcast), returns to the show to speak with Dr. Alex Sloboda, CDPH Medical Director of Immunizations and Emergency Preparedness, about the updated respiratory illness vaccination guidance, why it’s important to listen to evidence-based advice, and how everyone can stay safe as illnesses increase across the country.

CDPH provides no-cost flu and COVID-19 vaccines for Chicagoans at CDPH Immunization Walk-In clinics and a variety of community vaccination events this fall and winter. Further information can be found at https://chi.gov/4noLali

CDPH, in alignment with Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee, endorses the evidence-based consolidated respiratory virus immunization recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists.

Learn more at https://chi.gov/4Ax6BaT

Often operating in obscurity, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a vital volunteer group of both medical and non-medical professionals, organized on a local basis to help provide needed services to their communities during emergencies and disasters.

In this episode, Andreea Lazaroiu (Project Coordinator) and Molly Gabaldo (Project Administrator) talk about CDPH’s emergency preparedness program and how the department recruits, organizes, and leads Chicago’s arm of the MRC, and welcomes new volunteers seeking to use their time and expertise to strengthen our communities.

Learn more about the MRC at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdph/provdrs/emergency_preparedness/supp_info/medical-reserve-corps.html#modalgallery

To join the Chicago MRC, go to https://chi.gov/4s1kl9r and select "Chicago Medical Reserve Corps” in the Organization section.

As we recognize Suicide Prevention Awareness Month throughout September, Patricia T. Johnson (Public Health Administrator) and Mawiyah Coates (Public Health Administrator) discuss CDPH’s Suicide Prevention Initiative; the Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) training program; and other resources, such as 988 Lifeline, and activities, like the AFSP Out of the Darkness Walk on October 3, 2026.If you or someone you know needs crisis support, help is available 24/7. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to chat.

Postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis have received increased attention recently, highlighting the importance of checking in on new and expecting parents and recognizing when they may need support. In our latest episode of the Healthy Chicago Podcast, we discuss commonly overlooked signs that a new parent may be struggling, what postpartum psychosis is and how it differs from postpartum depression or anxiety, and what warning signs mean someone needs help right away.

If someone you know is struggling with maternal mental health, help is available:

National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: 1-833-852-6262

Illinois MOMS Line: 1-866-364-6667

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988

Find resources on CDPH's website at https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/onechifam/home/pregnancy-sexual-parental-health/parental-health/maternal-mental-health.html

PlayStreets Chicago is a collaborative, community-led initiative designed to foster healthier, stronger communities. The initiative creates safe and accessible neighborhood spaces for health and wellness activities, recreation, creativity, learning, social connection, and access to community resources.

Miguel Lopez (Public Health Administrator at CDPH and PlayStreets Lead) is joined by Lisa Butler (Program Director for Phalanx Family Services for PlayStreets in the far south region) and Felicia Walker (Founder and Executive Director of City Motivators) to discuss PlayStreets in 2026, what drives their work in the communities, and how Chicagoans can get involved.

“Me & Nic Broke Up” is a CDPH campaign that encourages Chicago youth to break away from their toxic relationships with nicotine and instead to focus on their personal well-being. On this episode of Healthy Chicago Podcast, we collaborate with From The ‘Go Show and True Star Media to encourage a candid discussion around awareness and support for those most impacted by vaping.

Co-hosts Gary Langfield Jr. and Iesha Brown talk with CDPH spokesperson Juan Ortega and Gen Z creator of the viral “Scuba” dance, Desean “Scuba” Logan-Russell, about why it’s important to discuss vape-free living, the negative effects of smoking, the predatory marketing of nicotine companies, and resources available to those who want to “break up with with nic.”

Visit MeAndNicBrokeUp.com for more information.

This episode was produced by True Star Media

Photo Cred: Christopher Lockridge + Deshaun Adams

Production Assistant: Micaiah Issac

Production Assistant: Caleb Issac

Production Assistant: Christopher Lockridge

Associate Producer: Julius Ross

Co-Host: Gary Langfield Jr.

Co-Host: Iesha Brown

• TikTok: @truestarchicago

• YouTube: True Star Media

• LinkedIn: True Star Media

• Facebook: True Star Foundation

• Instagram: @truestarchicago

June is Men’s Health Month. On this episode, Sam Rene (CDPH Program Manager, syndemic infectious disease bureau) speaks with Dominique Wilson (African American Wellness Agency and National Center for Urban Solutions) and Walter Lindsey (CDPH Database Analyst) about Black men’s health, stigma and myth around men’s health, and how every man can prioritize their mental and physical wellness.

Open to the public, Black Men’s Wellness Day is on Saturday, June 20 (7 a.m. – 12 p.m.) at the Bob Pickens Track & Field at 6233 S. Stony Island Ave. This free event brings together Black men, families, and community members for a morning focused on health, connection, and action.

Participants can:

• Get access to free heart health and other screenings

• Connect with local providers and organizations

• Take part in a 5K walk/run designed to get people moving together

• Enjoy activities for kids, a senior pavilion, live entertainment, and local vendors

For more information, and to register for free, click HERE.

Joabe Barbosa is a graduate student at Roosevelt University studying clinical psychology, but that’s likely not how you know him. If you’ve watched local news or been on Instagram lately, you likely know Joabe as the Brazilian guy wearing the Chicago flag as a cape, who is trying to run every street in the city. He’s also the guy who ran a half marathon in an inflatable bee costume, ran a long-distance race in rubber rainboots, and has the Guinness World Record for the fastest trip visiting every single Chicago CTA Subway Station.

Our discussion covers why Joabe runs, what it has unlocked for him and those around him, how exercise affects his mental well-being, and the purpose that drives his journey.

Follow Joabe’s journey on IG at @heyjoabe.