FAQs

What does Mental Health America of Wisconsin do?

Our mission is to promote mental health, prevent mental disorders, and achieve victory over mental illness through advocacy, education, information and support. Essentially,we are an association that provides information about mental illness to individuals, professional organizations and the community.

Are you part of the County Mental Health Complex?
No. The County Mental Health Complex provides direct services to patients with a mental illness. We are a private, non-profit (501c3) organization affiliated with Mental Health America that provides information, support, advocacy, education and support related to mental health.

Can you recommend a counselor, therapist or psychiatrist?
No. We can't recommend or endorse a specific therapist, counselor or psychiatrist. You can search a listing of providers on our online Mental Health Provider Directory.  We can also give information about clinics, hospitals or county facilities that offer mental health services specific to your needs. Visit our Mental Health and Wellness Resource Directory.

Does the Mental Health America of Wisconsin provide counseling?
No. We do not provide counseling or direct services.

Who does the Mental Health America of Wisconsin serve?
MHA serves individuals, schools, workplaces, senior centers, support groups and community organizations in Milwaukee County and throughout the state by promoting promotign mental health and advocating for the rights and well being of people with mental disorders. MHA is strongly committed to ensuring that quality service reaches minority, low income, women, children and elderly communities.The people we serve range from those who are mentally healthy, such as those attending workplace presentations and training, to those who are struggling to recover from a serious mental disorder, such as parents in the Invisible Children's Program. We serve a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds and cultures, family types and age groups.

Does Mental Health America of Wisconsin provide any programs or support groups for people with mental illness?
Yes. The Invisible Children's Program targets parents with chronic mental illness and teaches them life skills that help them raise healthy children. The goal is to keep parents and their children together through support and advocacy. Our Survivors Helping Survivors support group is for people who have suffered the loss of a loved one to suicide. The group is led by mental health professionals who volunteer their services.  We also provide a listing of other mental health-related support groups sponsored by other agencies or organizations.

How does the Mental Health America advocate for people with mental illness?
One way we support people with mental illness is through legislative advocacy, which keeps people informed about proposals in Congress and the Wisconsin Legislature related to mental health. MHA serves on several mental health committees, including the Governor's Council on Mental Health, Wisconsin United for Mental health, and the MHA Council of Wisconsin.

We also are involved in several statewide initiatives. The Prevention/Early Intervention in Mental Health Initiative which seeks to intervene earlier with persons at risk of mental illness or who are experiencing early signs and symptoms of mental illness.

Is anyone available to address mental health issues at our next meeting, program, special event, or class presentation?
Yes. Mental Health America of Wisconsin Speakers Bureau may  be able to help. Our volunteer speakers are health professionals with expertise and interest in a variety of areas and can present on a number of topics to including understanding mental health and mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety; red flag behaviors in children; late-life depression; suicide prevention; or managing stress. If you have a topic in mind that you don't see listed, please call our Community Outreach Coordinator at (414) 276-3122 and we will try to accommodate your request. When you call to arrange for a speaker, have your date, location, and group size in mind. Also, please try to call at least three to four weeks in advance.

I want to involuntarily commit someone. What is the process?

Who funds Mental Health America of Wisconsin?
MHA is funded through a variety of sources including: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; the Campaign for America's Mental Health; Charles E. Kubly Foundation, Eli Lilly Foundation; Elizabeth A. Brinn Foundation; E.R. Wagner Manufacturing Co. Foundation Inc.; Richard and Ellen Glaisner Foundation; Greater Milwaukee Foundation; Mental Health America's National Office; Milwaukee Mental Health Foundation; Nicholas Family Foundation; Northwestern Mutual Foundation; Jack and Lucy Rosenberg Trust Foundation; Windhover Foundation; Zonta Foundation, Inc.; state and county grants, as well as other corporate contributors, individual donations, memorials, bequests and membership fees.

 

Call Mental Health America of Wisconsin at (414) 276-3122 and an Information and Assistance Specialist will help answer your questions. Check out the National Mental Health America's Web site. For help finding treatment, support groups, medication information, help paying for your medications, your local Mental Health America affiliate, and other mental health-related services in your community, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions and Answers section at www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/faqs, contact Mental Health America, or contact your local Mental Health America affiliate.

 

If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately. Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to reach a 24-hour crisis center or dial 911 for immediate assistance.