Milwaukee County Mental Health Emergency Center receives $2.5 million of federal funding
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More funding has been procured for the Milwaukee County Mental Health Emergency Center, as the center eyes a September opening.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced last August that he was allocating $5.7 million for the center, which will serve county residents.
This week, U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced in a news release that she had worked to secure just over $2.5 million for the center, 1525 N. 12th St., Milwaukee.
“Many people are struggling with depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges as the result of a pandemic that has brought disruption, isolation and stress," Baldwin said in the release. "We need to provide more support for people and this legislation does just that, including better mental health services for kids who have had to endure a great deal throughout this pandemic."
Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division Administrator Michael Lappen said the need for the center has skyrocketed since the coronavirus pandemic began, as the pandemic exacerbated mental health issues for many.
"The best way to serve that need is to make sure that we are available for whoever needs us," Lappen said.
The psychiatric emergency department at the center will replace the emergency department at the Behavioral Health Division’s Mental Health Complex in Wauwatosa. Lappen said there's an increased need for the services the center will offer in the city of Milwaukee.
More than 90% of current patients who come to the Wauwatosa complex are city of Milwaukee residents.
"We're going to be right where the need is, and the hope is that's another barrier removed for people who need help with their mental health and substance use challenges," Lappen said.
The center will be a public-private partnership between the county and four health systems: Advocate Aurora Health, Froedtert Health, Ascension Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin.
It will serve adults, adolescents and children, and will accept voluntary as well as involuntary patients. Some of the services provided will include "crisis stabilization and assessment, emergency treatment, connections to inpatient, residential, community-based, peer support and outpatient services," according to the county.
Lappen emphasized that the center will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
"By pairing mental health and substance use services and getting people help with their whole health needs, that's a way to get the community healthier," Lappen said.
Alec Knutson, the government affairs director for Milwaukee County, said the county approached Baldwin about securing funds for the startup and construction costs.
"Sen. Baldwin was really critical in helping us secure these funds," Knutson said.
Lappen said construction for the building will likely be completed by the end of March. The center is set to open in September.
The funding was included in the bipartisan omnibus appropriations legislation for 2022.
“I worked to include this federal funding because it delivers support for Milwaukee County,” Baldwin said.
Drug overdose deaths have also risen in Milwaukee County, as the opioid epidemic has raged on nationwide.
In 2019 there were 418 drug overdose deaths reported in Milwaukee County. In 2021, updated numbers from the county reveal that number rose to 643 deaths — a 53% increase in that statistic in just two years.
“The opioid epidemic and substance use disorder crisis continues to touch every community across Wisconsin and the pandemic has only made this epidemic worse," Baldwin said.
The omnibus legislation also addressed other mental health needs across the nation.
According to a news release, the legislation included:
$857.6 million, a 13.2% increase, for the Mental Health Block Grant, which continues a 5% set aside for states to create crisis care programs.
$315 million, a $65 million increase, for certified community behavioral health clinics.
$120 million, a $13 million increase, for Project AWARE, which will expand efforts to identify and help children and youth who need mental health care, including addressing the needs of children who have experienced trauma.
$111 million, a $90 million increase, for Department of Education programs designed to increase the availability of mental health services in schools, including expanding training programs to prepare new school counselors, social workers and psychologists.
Earlier in March, a mental health walk-in clinic for children opened at Children's Wisconsin. It's designed to be a tool for children experiencing urgent mental and behavioral health needs.The clinic is within the Clinics Building at the hospital, at the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center in Wauwatosa, 8700 W. Watertown Plank Road.
Evan Casey can be reached at 414-403-4391 or evan.casey@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ecaseymedia.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Mental Health Emergency Center receives $2.5 million
