Welcome to the Illinois Psychiatric Society

The Illinois Psychiatric Society (IPS) is a dynamic community of over 1,000 Illinois psychiatrists,
in diverse types of practice and subspecialty areas. IPS brings members together for advocacy,
education, and networking with multiple special interests and work groups.

IPS was started in 1938 as a district branch of the American Psychiatric Association (founded in 1844),
one of the first nation-wide professional organizations in the U.S., now serving 38,800 members.

Our nation is facing tremendous demand for behavioral health care. The goal of IPS is to raise quality, parity, equity, and access to psychiatric care, for all citizens of Illinois. We urge all students to consider the amazing world of mental health care and help us meet these challenges.
Join us and share what you need, and what you know, with this family of psychiatrists. Together, we can make it better.

Featured Item:

Joint Statement with other leading Illinois medical and behavioral health specialty societies:

LGBTQI+ Community Needs a Lifeline Now More Than Ever

The Illinois Psychiatric Society, Illinois Psychology Association, and the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians along with the Illinois Society of Addiction Medicine, the Illinois Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, NAMI Chicago, and Chicago Therapy Collective disagree with the decision to remove the LGBTQI+ option from the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This specialized service was created to provide an essential lifeline for a community that is disproportionately affected by mental health crises and suicide.

President Charity of Choice for 2025-2026:
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls

Since 1887, Mercy Home for Boys & Girls has provided children and families with healing and tools to build brighter futures. It gives children who’ve experienced abuse, neglect, or violence a safe home, educational support, and career guidance.

As a Catholic children’s charity based in Chicago, our healing mission on behalf of children and families is rooted in our faith. We’re dedicated to living out the Gospels by opening our doors to those who turn to us for help during their most critical hour.

Mercy Home gives its young people the safety they need right now, the therapy they need to move forward, and the tools they need to build brighter futures. Tools like a good education, life skills, career exploration and so much more.

We also assist hundreds more children and families by connecting them to a vast network of accredited professional service-agencies throughout metropolitan Chicago. We offer former residents the resources they need to succeed beyond our home. And we connect kids with mentors who help them navigate the often challenging path through adolescence.

Learn More About Mercy Home