Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ Interagency Council on Mental Health is recommending expanded telehealth access, continued support for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, and policies to improve mental health services and access across the state through an action plan.
The council comprises representatives from 10 state agencies. Members conducted five regional listening sessions, gathered more than 1,200 survey responses and held 16 partner meetings to inform the action plan, according to a May 5 news release from the state’s department of health services.
Here are four things to know:
- The action plan includes recommendations to integrate mental health services across state agencies by streamlining care transition and promoting mental health resources statewide.
- The council recommended expanding access to care by partnering with licensed entities and telehealth platforms to improve services in rural areas and for specialized populations.
- The plan also calls for continued support of the 988 lifeline, along with efforts to reduce stigma through ongoing mental health focused conversations with community partners.
- Additional recommendations include policies addressing social disconnection and expanding mental health support for people in transition, including military members transitioning to civilian life, people leaving corrections systems, new Medicaid members, new parents and new state employees.
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