Children’s Wisconsin Opens Mental Health Walk-In Clinic
Clinic will provide same-day mental health services for children 5 to 18 years old.
The Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic is a new resource available to children in the area who may be struggling with mental health. Photo provided by Children’s Wisconsin.
A new mental health clinic from Children’s Wisconsin will allow kids to walk in and receive services in the same day.
The Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic serves youths ages 5 to 18 years old who are accompanied by a parent or guardian. It provides an option for children who have mental health needs but might not have access to other care services.
Tammy Makhlouf, manager of the Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic, said the clinic’s hours are intentional since many resources like schools and pediatrician’s offices are closed during those hours. It is located at 8915 W. Connell Ct.
The clinic’s opening comes at a time when there is a critical need for mental health services. Makhlouf said emergency room visits for mental health issues are up 40% since 2020.
Adding options for families to receive care has been important, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When families are struggling, they need help at that time, not six months down the road,” Makhlouf said.
Makhlouf said the need for mental health services was rising before COVID-19 and the clinic was one of seven mental health initiatives that Children’s Wisconsin identified in 2019 for development.
The clinic does not handle emergency cases and will refer families to the emergency room at Children’s Hospital if needed.
Makhlouf said the clinic stresses service to families.
“We let the family determine what a crisis is,” Makhlouf said. “We’re really dealing with them where they’re at.”
Families can seek services for treatment of new or worsening symptoms of:
- anxiety
- stress
- panic attacks
- trouble focusing
- loss of appetite
- feelings of isolation
- mood disorders
- hyperactivity or attention issues
- lack of interest in family or social activities
- bullying
- difficulty sleeping
- school avoidance
While the clinic’s services are not free, Makhlouf said that the staff will attempt to make services affordable and address a family’s need regardless of their ability to pay.
“Our main goal is to serve the family,” Makhlouf said.
The clinic is not a replacement for long-term therapy but a gateway to help families get there.
“What we’re offering is similar to urgent care,” Makhlouf said. “ . . . it’s there if you need it.”
How to reach the clinic
The clinic can be contacted at 414-337-3400. It is located in the Children’s Wisconsin hospital campus in Wauwatosa at 8915 W. Connell Ct. The space itself is on Level 2 of the Clinics building on the Children’s Wisconsin Milwaukee hospital campus.
The campus can be reached via Milwaukee County Transit System bus on Route 92.
Children’s Wisconsin opens new mental health walk-in clinic for youths was originally published by the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service.
