Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and the Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division Recognize Mental Health Month

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, the Behavioral Health Division of the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) and community organizations today announced free events throughout May in recognition of Mental Health Month. This year, the nationwide campaign is #4Mind4Body, promoting mental and physical wellness. Countywide events are aimed at bringing necessary, quality mental health services to communities that continue to face challenges accessing mental health services.

“Together with our community partners, we are reshaping how we provide quality health services to ensure our residents are finding the care they need, when they need it and on their terms,” said County Executive Chris Abele. “We cannot rest until quality mental health services are available in the communities and zip codes they are needed most.”

The Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division (BHD) connects people of Milwaukee County with dependable, high-quality behavioral health services, no matter their severity of need or ability to pay. BHD provides care both through county-operated programs and contracts with community agencies.

“Approximately 180,000 people in Milwaukee County struggle with mental illness,” said Milwaukee County DHHS Director Mary Jo Meyers. “We know that encouraging people to take an active role in their physical and mental wellness is critical, and this work would not be possible without our strong community partners.”

BHD is working to expand the capacity of community-based services throughout Milwaukee County. Services include intensive short-term treatment through our crisis services and inpatient services, as well as a full array of supportive community services for persons with serious mental illness and substance use disorders.

“To best meet our community’s growing needs, the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division is committed to expanding access to community-based mental health services and providing a full continuum of care that supports people on their path to recovery,” said Mike Lappen, Behavioral Health Division Administrator. “People are resilient and with the right support at the right time, great progress can be made.”

Mental Health Month is one of many ways the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services works with community partners to fill remaining gaps in the mental health infrastructure.

Upcoming events include:

Realities of Child and Adolescent Mental Health in the West Allis Community
Wednesday, May 1 – 7:30 to 9 a.m.
Aurora West Allis Medical Center
8901 W. Lincoln Avenue
RSVP to Terese Beauchamp at 414.328.7521 or terese.beauchamp@aurora.org
Line Dance for Wellness Classes
Every Tuesday in May starting May 7 – 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Wisconsin African American Women’s Center
3020 W. Vliet Street

Wear Green Day
Friday, May 17
Show your support for mental health awareness by wearing green to work.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Walk for Mental Health
Saturday, May 18 – check in at 9:30 a.m. and walk starts at 11:00 a.m.
For more information, contact Susan Schoenmarklin at 414.581.3746 or namiwalk@namigrm.org

For more information, visit county.milwaukee.gov/MentalHealthMonth.

About the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services

The Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) empowers safe, healthy, meaningful lives by ensuring that no one in need goes unserved. Whether it be experiencing homelessness, a mental health crisis, incarceration as a youth or caring for a child with disabilities, DHHS connects individuals and families to resources that can help. Using best practices from the social service sector, DHHS collaborates within its divisions and with community partners to provide personalized services that are integrated, trauma-informed, and evidence-based and drive positive outcomes. Committed to performance excellence, DHHS is dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need to overcome challenges and create opportunities to become self-sufficient, strengthen their families and create a healthy, stable and safe community. DHHS is comprised of five divisions: Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Division of Youth & Family Services, Disabilities Services Division, Housing Division and Management Services Division. For more information visit county.milwaukee.gov/DHHS.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.