Gov. Evers Delivers Radio Address Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month in Wisconsin

Audio File of Radio Address.

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address celebrating May as Mental Health Awareness Month across the state and nation and highlighting measures included in his 2025-27 Executive Budget to address the mental health crisis and ensure all Wisconsinites have access to quality, affordable mental healthcare. Gov. Evers declared May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Wisconsin, and a copy of the governor’s proclamation is available here.

Gov. Evers declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health in Wisconsin, and his 2025-27 Executive Budget builds upon his administration’s efforts to address the state’s ongoing mental health crisis by making significant mental health investments to better support kids in and out of the classroom. Gov. Evers’ budget proposes an approximately $300 million investment over the biennium for comprehensive school-based mental healthcare initiatives in schools statewide, including support for peer-to-peer suicide prevention programs and expanded mental health training. The governor’s proposal includes investments in several programs aimed at offering mental health trainings to schools, parents and guardians, and students, bolstering mental health literacy and stigma reduction in schools, and hiring more pupil service professionals such as school counselors, psychologists, social workers, and school nurses. More information about Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 budget plan to better support kids, both in and out of the classroom, is available here.

Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 Executive Budget also works to support the well-being of Wisconsin’s veterans by investing $5 million to support programs that provide critical mental health services for veterans throughout the state., including community-based services, emergency crisis services, and support for healthcare providers providing services to veterans. More information about Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 budget plan to support Wisconsin’s veterans is available here.

Finally, the governor’s budget also fights to make sure Wisconsin farmers and their families have the support and mental health resources they need by doubling the current funding for farmer mental health support initiatives through DATCP’s Farmer Wellness Program. This program provides a 24/7 crisis helpline, counselor vouchers, and virtual counseling services for farmers and their families. More information about Gov. Evers’ 2025-27 budget plan to support Wisconsin’s farmers, producers, and agricultural industries is available here.

Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I’m kicking off the month by encouraging folks to take good care of their mental health, to have honest conversations about mental health, and to take good care of one another.

From challenges making ends meet to all the chaos and uncertainty today to what folks are seeing on the news, folks and kids are struggling perhaps now more than ever.

Taking care of our mental health is too darn important.

I declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health across Wisconsin because I believe that the mental health and behavioral health challenges we’re seeing will have cascading consequences for generations if we don’t start taking them seriously—and soon.

Take our kids, for example. According to the Office of Children’s Mental Health, kids across our state have reported increased levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

It’s why I’m urging the Legislature to approve my budget plan to invest $300 million in school-based mental health services for our kids so that they can bring their best selves to the classroom each day.

Additionally, we know our veterans often face unique personal battles in their civilian lives, so my budget invests in emergency and community-based mental health services for our nation’s heroes.

And here in America’s Dairyland, we know the work of farmers and producers, farm families, and our agricultural industries are so important, but it’s also tough and stressful work.

My budget doubles funding to support farmer mental health services, including a 24/7 crisis helpline and virtual counseling.

We also have to work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone, which is why my budget will require health insurance companies to cover in-patient crisis care, expand coverage for telehealth services, and crack down on surprise billings—and more.

So, during Mental Health Awareness Month, take time to check in with yourself and others, and let’s build a healthier, stronger Wisconsin for everybody.

Thank you.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.