Inspire Change for Mental Health is a 501C3 non-profit group offering local mental health support in times of crisis, for those without insurance or ability to pay for services.
Mental health is just as important as physical health. We don’t want anyone to go without support when it is needed. Mental health doesn’t just impact one individual — it impacts our families, friends, loved ones, the entire community and world.
Our mission is simple: improving the world by supporting people’s mental health in times of crisis and need.
Our story:
Inspire Counseling Center was founded in 2015 by Lauren Schifferdecker, a local (and native) North Shore mom. She started in a humble, small storage closet as her office (not unlike Harry Potter!) After seeing firsthand the needs and benefits of counseling in the community, she expanded to help other communities in Northbrook, Kenilworth and Lake Forest. Today, Inspire has nearly 40 employees and is working to expand to serve even more communities.
Inspire has a fresh approach to helping kids, adolescents, adults, parents, couples and families and has already served nearly 50,000 individual therapy sessions to help support the community.
Inspire is founded on the belief that mental health should be affordable— all while providing world-class service with the top professionals in beautiful offices conveniently located in the heart of the community. As part of that effort, Inspire accepts several insurances to help make services affordable. Unfortunately, they still have to refer many patients out due to people not having insurance or the ability to pay out of pocket for services. Many of the local nonprofit or public aid centers are overwhelmed with demand. They often have incredibly long waitlists, and it can take months to be seen.
Serendipitously, Jen Eisen, a fellow local North Shore mom and owner of House 406 restaurant, reached out to Lauren and offered to host a fundraiser to help Inspire Counseling Center offer services after the Highland Park 4th of July incident.
It was in that moment that
Inspire Change for Mental Health was born.
With the generous support of Jen, the celebrity chefs Stephanie Izard, Joe Flamm and Eryn Cisneros along with the entire community, Inspire will be able to help the community in times of crisis, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay for services — in Inspire’s multiple locations across the North Shore.
When someone reaches out for counseling support, every minute counts. Imagine going to the Emergency Room with an injury and waiting months, if not longer, for care.
Mental health is as important as physical health–it’s just not as visible.
During times of crisis, like the Highland Park 4th of July incident, Inspire therapists raised their hands to volunteer, accepting pro-bono clients and host free support groups. However, they are limited to what they can do, while keeping the practice open.
All money raised will be put 100% toward Inspire’s ability to support people in crisis, or people in need of counseling services, but unable to pay for services.
