As families increasingly turn to local food pantries following the end of pandemic-era food benefits, one Oak Lawn therapist says the stress behind the need runs far deeper than what’s visible.
“People are in survival mode,” said Grace Alleman, a licensed clinical psychotherapist with a private practice at Pilgrim Faith Church in Oak Lawn. “When people are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads or food on the table, therapy takes a back seat. If you’re starving, you’re not going to be talking about your relationship with your parents. You’re in survival mode.”
Alleman said the need has grown, and the overlap between hunger and mental health is increasingly clear.
“It’s scary what’s going on when things are being cut,” she said. “But we have resources. It’s about getting the word out that there are places you can go.”
Her practice emphasizes meeting people where they are, both financially and emotionally, and connecting them with support—through therapy or referrals. “Sometimes people call just to ask where to go for food or immigration help,” she said. “If we can’t help directly, we point them to someone who can.”
Alleman hears the strain across all parts of her caseload. “My clients who are more privileged are saying, ‘I voted, but what do I do now?’” she said. “And my clients from marginalized communities are not well. You can see it. Even in the food bank, the line is out the door.”
The link between basic needs and mental health, she said, is straightforward. “If someone’s drowning, you don’t ask them to talk about their depression. You help them stay afloat. When people are hungry or unhoused, there’s no space for higher-level healing.”
Still, Alleman sees hope in neighbors’ responses. “People are good and people want to help,” she said. “You see it across beliefs and backgrounds. It’s beautiful, even in the worst circumstances.”
She encourages small, consistent acts of support. “No one’s saying go out and spend hundreds. If you see something on sale, grab one extra. Drop off a few items. It all adds up.”
For Alleman, the focus is on action as well as awareness. She shared a list of local food pantries and emergency shelters for those seeking help or wanting to assist.
“We can’t fix everything,” she said. “But we can show up for each other. That’s where it starts.”
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