Gun Locks and Safety Resources in Chicago

For mental health awareness month in May, CDPH urges residents to stay vigilant, especially if they own firearms. Gun locks are a safe and effective way to prevent suicides and unintentional shootings, especially among children and teens. Gun locks are available in CDPH vending machines, CDPH clinics, select CPD district stations, and select Chicago Public Libraries.

Gun Safety Awareness Workshops will also be offered in coordination between city agencies, May through August. These workshops will include valuable tools and information for firearm owners, parents, caregivers, or those interested in injury prevention. The workshop will also provide essential gun safety education, 'Stop the Bleed' training, and free gun locks and gun safes. The first workshop is being offered by Teamwork Englewood, on May 22, 2025. You can register to attend online.

CDPH's Rapid Response to Opioid Overdoses

Local research findings from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) were published in a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

On May 11, 2024, CDPH was alerted that the number of emergency medical service (EMS) responses for suspected opioid-involved overdoses reached 54 for that day, a number that is double the 2023 daily average in Chicago. CDPH determined that medetomidine, a nonopioid sedative not approved for use in humans, was detected in the illegal drug supply. An investigation identified 12 confirmed and 26 probable cases of medetomidine-involved overdose occurred in Chicago during May 11 17, 2024. All specimens and samples in this investigation that contained medetomidine also contained opioids.

Multisector surveillance is needed to quickly identify and respond to new adulterants introduced into the illegal drug supply. Clinicians who observe atypical toxic syndromes (such as bradycardia or lack of response to naloxone) for suspected opioid-involved overdoses should contact their poison center and local health department and continue to provide naloxone and linkage to evidence-based treatment. Although medetomidine effects cannot be reversed with naloxone, if a person might be overdosing, the use of naloxone is still recommended to reverse the effects of opioids.

ChiPhi: Chicago Public Health Innovators

CDPH's Healthy Chicago Zones (HCZ) initiative is proud to announce a new collaboration with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services' One Summer Chicago and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health to launch ChiPhi: Chicago Public Health Innovators—a dynamic summer academy designed to introduce young people to the exciting world of public health.

#Running from June 23 to August 1, 2025, the free, six-week program will be hosted on the UIC campus and is open to Chicago high school juniors and seniors (ages 16 18). Participants will receive compensation based on their attendance and engagement in the program. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity, creativity, and a desire to make a difference.

ChiPhi participants will gain hands-on experience through interactive learning sessions, field trips, and community health projects. With guidance from HCZ Regional Leads, students will work on real public health issues and create innovative solutions to make a positive impact in their communities. The program aims to spark interest in public health among 11th and 12th-grade students across Chicago, helping to build a stronger future workforce in the field.

The deadline to apply is May 18, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST.

Interested applicants should complete the following two steps:

• Step 1: Fill out the One Summer Chicago application at: onesummerchicago.org/summerjobs
• Step 2: Complete the ChiPHI application at: go.uic.edu/chiphiapp

For more information, visit: go.uic.edu/chiphi

Healthy Chicago Podcast

Episode 88 [ENGLISH]: May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Commissioner Ige and Jonathan Hart (Owner and Design Director of Bigmouth Creative) discuss mental health, tips and strategies to promote one's well-being, and the behavioral health resources available to all Chicagoans.

It is okay to acknowledge that you feel overwhelmed, exhausted, or otherwise down. CDPH has mental health clinics that are free of charge. Healing Arts hosts free, year-round creative classes and workshops that support mental health and wellness. These sessions include yoga, sound & body meditation, music, painting, poetry, writing, and more. Sign up on the City of Chicago website.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or chat 9-8-8 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Listen or watch the newest episodes on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and the CDPH website.

###