Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has unveiled a $500 million mental health initiative as part of his biennial budget set to unfold over the next two years, declaring 2023 the "Year of Mental Health," WisPolitics reported May 1.
However, 540 items of his budget are expected to be removed by committee members, including several concerning mental health, according to the publication.
The mental health provisions expected to be removed include $270 million to continue school-based mental health services; $4 million to support the purchase of opioid antagonists such as Narcan, used to reverse opioid overdoses; more than $3.2 million to support stimulant prevention and treatment efforts; and $1 million for a statewide suicide prevention program.
"With our state's historic surplus, we have a historic opportunity and responsibility to make critical investments to address the pressing challenges facing our state," Mr. Evers said in his 2023 State of the State address. "We cannot afford to look back months or years from now and regret that more wasn't done sooner."
A full list of the governor's mental health budget agenda can be found here.