Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital

02/22/2026

Lent reminds us that brokenness makes room for the hope and renewal that come with Easter. 💜

Trevor Bonat, Ascension Vice President of Mission Integration, reflects on the time when he hit his limits, but his faith filled in.

02/21/2026

Some people paint what they see.
Others capture what almost passes you by. 🎨📷

This quarter, we are proud to feature two artists whose work invites us to slow down and notice.

Jean’s paintings hold onto a feeling. Through color and composition, she captures Midwestern landscapes, quiet street scenes, blooming gardens, and beloved pets, preserving the light and emotion of a single moment in time. 🌾🌷

Karen approaches photography with readiness. She shares, “When I’m out walking and something catches my eye, I instinctively reach for my camera. If I find myself saying, ‘Wow! I got it.’ I know the photo is special because it has truly moved me.” ✨

Art has a quiet way of slowing us down. Of helping us notice. Of giving shape to experiences that are hard to put into words.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, expressive arts can be part of healing, helping individuals reconnect with their surroundings, their memories, and themselves. Creativity does not fix everything, but it often opens a door. 🎨

We are grateful to showcase artists who remind us that healing and beauty often begin with simply paying attention. 🤍

02/20/2026

Two weeks ago, the groundhog saw his shadow. 🐿️
Which means… we are officially in the bonus round of winter. ❄️

If the gray skies are starting to feel heavier than usual, you are not imagining it. This is typically the time of year when more people notice their mood dipping. The holidays are over. The daylight is short. The cozy factor starts to wear thin.

Kelly Hayden, therapist at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, shares four gentle ways to manage the winter blues:

🍊 Lean into seasonal foods. Citrus, squash, leafy greens. Nourishing your body and slowing down in the kitchen can be grounding in more ways than one.

🏊 Keep moving in ways that feel good. A fitness class, a swim, even something new that builds community. Movement supports mood, and connection helps even more.

🎨 Create something. Cook, paint, knit, read, learn guitar, try a new language. Winter can be an invitation to explore parts of yourself that get overlooked in busier seasons.

☀️ Add light where you can. A happy lamp while you read or work can simulate sunlight and give your serotonin a boost when the days feel especially dim.

Winter does not require perfection. It asks for gentleness. Slower mornings. Extra layers. A little more intention. 🤍

And if the weight feels heavier than it should, talking with a therapist is always a steady next step.

We cannot change the forecast.
But we can help you navigate it. 👣

02/19/2026

Eating Disorder Awareness Week is coming up. 💛

And here is something gentle you deserve to hear.

You are allowed to enjoy food. 🌮
You are allowed to nourish your body. 🤤
You are allowed to love the body you live in without guilt narrating every bite. 🫶

Eating disorders can be loud. They can distort, restrict, criticize, and convince. Over time, they can make something as simple as sitting in a café feel complicated.

But healing is possible. Relationship with food can be rebuilt. Trust with your body can be restored. And you do not have to untangle that alone.

Across Chicagoland and Hoffman Estates, specialized eating disorder programs support children, teens, and adults with personalized care, structured treatment options, nutrition support, therapy, and medical oversight designed to treat both the physical and emotional sides of recovery.

This year, awareness is about reminding you that your life can be bigger than an eating disorder. 🤍

02/18/2026

As the sun sets a little slower and the evenings grow sacred, our Muslim neighbors begin the holy month of Ramadan. 🌙✨

It’s a time of reflection, fasting, prayer—and deep connection. A time where hearts grow softer, families gather closer, and acts of compassion ripple across communities.

To our Muslim sisters, brothers, coworkers, and caregivers: we see you. We honor your strength, your stillness, and the light you carry into this season. 🤲💛

Ramadan Mubarak! May this month bring peace, renewal, and blessings that reach beyond the fast.

02/18/2026

The BEE Award is about recognizing associates who make a lasting difference in someone’s care. 🐝💛

Mary from Youth Inpatient Services was nominated with these words:

“After multiple hospitalizations, I have never met a staff member more caring and generous than Mary. Our conversations throughout the day made me ecstatic! She provided me a safe space to express myself and talk about rough times. She helped me realize that trusting people isn’t that scary. I found reasons to live through her.”

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, trust is built in conversations, consistency, and compassion that meets young people exactly where they are.

In youth inpatient care, connection matters. Consistency matters. Feeling heard matters.

Mary, congratulations. The impact you made is clear. 💕

02/15/2026

💐Love does not always look like flowers and cards.

Sometimes it looks like making sure someone can refill their prescription without choosing between groceries and their health.

After Valentine’s Day passes, what lingers is the quieter kind of love. The kind that protects dignity. The kind that shows up consistently. The kind that removes barriers so people can breathe a little easier. 🏥 💗

Across Chicagoland, too many neighbors are uninsured and navigating impossible choices. Access to essential medication should not be one of them. 🚫

Through our collaboration with Dispensary of Hope, Ascension Illinois is helping connect uninsured and low income residents to free medications at select Ascension Rx outpatient pharmacies in Chicago, Elk Grove Village, and Hoffman Estates. It is one more way care can extend beyond the exam room and into everyday life. 🤍

Because loving a community means making health possible, not complicated.

And sometimes the most meaningful gestures are the ones that restore stability. 💙

02/14/2026

Love shows up in different ways. ❤️
Sometimes it is simply choosing to give.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, our associates recently hosted a blood drive as another way to care for the community we serve every day. 🏘️

The same compassion that guides our work in behavioral health extended beyond our walls and into something that can help save lives. 🕊️

In a place where we walk alongside people through anxiety, depression, grief, and recovery, giving back feels like a natural extension of who we are. 💕

Behavioral health is about restoring strength. Blood donation does the same in a different way. It supports someone in surgery. Someone in trauma care. Someone whose family is waiting for good news. 🩸

Caring for mental health means caring for the whole person. And caring for the whole person means looking out for one another, even in ways that feel quiet. 💕

02/13/2026

Your heart knows when something is off.
The tightness. The racing thoughts. The heaviness that does not always have words. ❤️📞

Mental health and heart health are more connected than most people realize. Stress, anxiety, grief, and overwhelm do not stay in one place. They show up everywhere.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, care starts by listening to what your heart is trying to say. From children and teens to adults, our teams meet people where they are and help them find steadier ground with care that fits their life, not a label.

Because when your heart is calling, your mental health deserves an answer. 💗

02/11/2026

Kindness can change everything. 💛

On this World Day of the Sick, we honor the associates who show up with compassion every day. From brushing someone’s hair to taking the time to explain a medication, these moments of care remind patients that they are seen, valued, and never alone.

02/11/2026

Grief does not follow a script when you are a child or a teenager.
One day they seem fine at school. The next, everything feels too heavy to carry. 💭

For clinicians, educators, and youth serving professionals, that uncertainty can be one of the hardest parts. You want to help, but the signals are layered, shifting, and deeply tied to development, identity, and environment.

Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital is sharing this professional education opportunity to support those who show up for grieving adolescents every day. This program focuses on how grief uniquely shows up during adolescence and how to respond with trauma informed, developmentally appropriate care that builds trust and emotional safety.

Because when young people feel truly seen and understood, they are not navigating loss alone. 🤍

‼️Register link in the comments.

02/09/2026

Meet Dr. Shubhrajan Wadyal 🧠💬
A psychiatrist. An advocate. A steady voice for families navigating complex diagnoses.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health, Dr. Wadyal leads with clinical expertise and compassion—specializing in ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and neurodevelopmental conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked. From children to adults, he’s known for taking time to listen, connect, and build care plans that reflect each patient’s full story.

As Medical Director of our Group Practice and Director of both Autism Services and Inpatient Adolescent Psychiatry, Dr. Wadyal is not just a provider—he’s an anchor. Whether guiding teens through treatment or helping caregivers make sense of what’s next, he’s here to make sure no one feels lost in the system.

When care is personalized and stigma is removed, healing becomes possible. That’s the difference Dr. Wadyal brings. 👏🏽💙

11/07/2025

🎉 This National Radiologic Technology Week, we’re celebrating the imaging professionals at Ascension Alexian Brothers, because without them, modern medicine would be missing its eyes. 👀

💡 From high-resolution 3D mammograms to wide-bore MRIs that ease patient anxiety, our radiologic technologists do far more than take pictures. They:

✨ Spot cancers early, sometimes before symptoms even show.
✨ Monitor heart, lung, and bone conditions with precision.
✨ Provide critical imaging for trauma care in minutes.
✨ Adapt procedures for patients with mobility, sensory, or weight concerns, ensuring everyone gets dignified, accessible care.

🖥️ And while their tools are advanced, it’s their human touch that patients remember most—calm voices explaining a scan, warm blankets on cold tables, kindness in moments of fear.

🎯 At Ascension Alexian Brothers, we’re proud to offer high-quality imaging like:

💗 3D Mammography
🦴 DEXA bone scans
🧠 CT scans up to 450 lbs
💊 1.5T MRI with wide bore
💻 Digital X-rays and ultrasound

🏥 To our techs, sonographers, aides, and radiology nurses: thank you for combining science, art, and compassion in every scan. You help us see what matters most.

11/07/2025

🎉 During National Radiologic Technology Week, we’re putting the spotlight on the people behind the scan.

At Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago, our imaging teams are the ones you trust when you need answers fast. They’re the calm in the chaos, the precision behind the care, and the experts making sure every scan tells the full story.

🛠 Whether it’s an X-ray at 2 a.m., a nervous patient in for their first mammogram, or adapting a scan for someone with limited mobility—this team shows up with skill and compassion.

Here in Chicago, our services include:
✅ CT scans
✅ MRIs
✅ Mammograms
✅ DEXA scans
✅ Ultrasounds
✅ X-rays
✅ Nuclear medicine studies

From head trauma to heart health, broken bones to early cancer detection—imaging makes it possible. And the team at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago makes it exceptional.

🌟 To every tech, nurse, aide, scheduler, and support staff: thank you, for all that you do in helping people take the next step forward in their care.

11/07/2025

🎃 From spooky stickers to surprise friendships—Halloween on Pediatrics was full of treats (and just a few tricks)!

Our pediatric unit turned into a little world of joy, complete with reverse trick-or-treating from our amazing nursing staff, crafts, costumes, and a much-requested four rounds of Halloween Bingo streamed into patient rooms. 🧡🕸️

What made it even more special? The kids who met as strangers over bubble hockey and left as friends—connected not by their hospital stay, but by the fun they had while here.

Huge thanks to our community for donating treat bags, craft kits, and Halloween goodies. Because of you, our patients got to be kids first—not just patients.

🧡 Here’s to creating moments of normalcy, laughter, and connection that last long after the costumes come off.

📸 Swipe to see how we turned pain into play this Halloween at Ascension Saint Alexius.

11/06/2025

🍽️ November is Stomach Cancer Awareness Month—a time to spotlight the tools, teams, and people working to detect this disease earlier and treat it better.

🎯 At Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago, Dr. Bipan Chand is part of that front line.

As a board-certified gastrointestinal surgeon and advanced endoscopist, Dr. Chand specializes in robotic and laparoscopic surgery as well as high-precision endoscopic procedures—often used to detect precancerous changes before they become something more serious.

With a focus on patient goals, multidisciplinary planning, and outcomes that don’t compromise quality of life, Dr. Chand brings together modern tools and human care.

🧠 This month is about awareness. And awareness means more than statistics. It’s knowing what’s possible when the right hands, the right technology, and the right kind of listening come together.

💜 To those navigating a gastric cancer diagnosis—or supporting someone who is—we’re here for you.

11/05/2025

🔓 No appointment. No referral. No excuses.

✅ Starting now, walk-in mammograms are available Monday–Friday, 8am–3pm at Ascension Alexian Brothers & our imaging location in Addison.

Because early detection isn’t just a recommendation, it’s a lifeline.
And sometimes the hardest part is just getting it scheduled. 📆

Now? Just walk in. 👣

From 3D imaging to personalized risk assessment, we’re here with real tools, real care, and real time made for you.

💗 Tell your mom. Text your group chat. And while you’re at it, go for yourself, too.

Care teams at Ascension Illinois in the greater Chicago area provide mammograms to screen for breast health and help detect signs of breast cancer.

11/04/2025

😵‍💫 One kid’s wide awake at 5am. Another’s melting down by dinner. And somehow, you're expected to make it all work.

The seasonal time change doesn’t just shift clocks—it disrupts moods, routines, and emotional rhythms.

This is exactly the kind of moment Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital is here for.

Because the goal isn’t perfection—it’s surviving this season without burning out.

📖 Read the full piece in the Daily Herald and see how to prep your home, your kids—and your own nervous system—for the “fall back” season: http://ascn.io/6188ACSm0

11/03/2025

🍼 When you’re expecting, you’re not just planning for delivery—you’re navigating a world of options, advice, and decisions that can feel anything but simple.

That’s why our community made sure families in Hoffman Estates have more than just a place to give birth.

At Ascension Saint Alexius, we’re a Baby-Friendly designated facility—and that means every part of your experience is built to support connection, comfort, and confidence.

💜 Guided by research
💜 Focused on bonding, breastfeeding support, and informed choice
💜 Built around your birth plan—whether it’s midwife‑led, OB‑guided, or high‑risk

🤱 From midwives and OBs to NICU teams and high-risk care, our birthing center is ready for whatever your journey looks like—and always starts with what matters to you.

The rest of the country is now being asked to meet this standard.
Thanks to you, we’re already there.

👶 Baby‑Friendly care starts here. Always has.

11/01/2025

On Halloween, we celebrate fear like it’s a costume. But for many, fear is far more personal—and it doesn’t disappear on November 1. 📆 👻

It’s the fear of losing control.
Of being seen.
Of asking for help.
Of food, your body, or the next panic attack you can’t explain.

At Ascension Illinois, we know fear shows up in real ways—like anxiety, eating disorders, depression, trauma, and more. And just like we treat physical wounds with care, we believe mental and emotional wounds deserve the same attention.

That’s why across Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital and Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago, we offer whole-person mental health care—around the clock, across specialties, and without judgment.

🧠 Inpatient Eating Disorder treatment
🎨 Art & music therapy
💬 Group + individual counseling
🌿 Support for addiction, OCD, mood disorders & more
⚡ ECT + TMS services
🧑‍⚕️ A team that actually listens

Because fear doesn’t make you weak—and facing it doesn’t mean doing it alone. You deserve a care team that knows how to walk through it with you. 👣

📍 Find support across Chicagoland
📞 855-383-2224 (Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital) | 773-665-6509 (Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago)

10/31/2025

🎃 Tips AND Treat! 🎃

🦴 Stiff or achy joints? Physical therapy can improve mobility and ease joint pain, keeping you active and moving smoothly at any age.

😳 Worried about back problems like herniated discs? Physical therapy builds core strength and supports spine health, helping to prevent injuries and avoid surgery.

🌪️ Feeling unsteady or dizzy? Physical therapy can boost your balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls for everyone, from teens to seniors.

💦 Bladder issues or pelvic discomfort? Physical therapy helps strengthen and relax pelvic muscles, offering relief and improving daily comfort.

🔥 Chronic pain making life difficult? Physical therapy creates personalized, drug-free solutions to get you back to living fully, no matter your stage of life.

🎥 TREAT: Enjoy this Halloween dance from our full multidisciplinary Rehab team, spreading smiles and spooky spirit!

10/31/2025

🎃 Pumpkins aren’t the only thing getting carved this season—so are moments of joy, connection, and creativity.

At Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital, our annual pumpkin carving tradition isn’t just about celebrating fall. It’s about creating space for expression, laughter, and healing—reminding us all that small moments of creativity can offer big support for our mental health.

🏅 This year’s Pumpkin Contest Winner?

Miss Kandy Corn, crafted by our incredible Access Department—using an impressive 7 pounds of candy corn! 🍬 Their creativity shines as brightly as their commitment. The Access team is here 24/7, assessing patients and ensuring everyone in our community receives the compassionate care and support they need.

🎨 Arts and activities like these are part of the care we offer every day. Whether someone’s navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, or just feeling overwhelmed—we meet them where they are, with programs that treat the whole person: mind, body, and spirit.

💕 Because mental health care isn’t one-size-fits-all. And sometimes, the right care looks like a group of people sitting around a table, carving out something meaningful—together.

📍 Free assessments available 24/7 in Hoffman Estates
📞 855-383-2224

10/30/2025

😳 The lump she almost ignored.
The pain she chalked up to stress.
The delay that could’ve cost her everything.

Breast cancer doesn’t always arrive with warning signs—and when it does, early detection changes everything.

That’s why at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago, breast care means more than a mammogram.

🧠 It means being seen by a team that knows what to look for—before you even know to ask.
🏥 It means NAPBC-accredited care, right here in Lincoln Park and Lakeview.
🧭 And it means having a navigator by your side, helping you know what’s next before fear can fill in the blanks.

Because catching it early doesn’t just save lives—it gives them back.

Care teams at Ascension Illinois in the greater Chicago area provide mammograms to screen for breast health and help detect signs of breast cancer.