Wisconsin health experts discuss mental health challenges, solutions in virtual panel

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Health experts spoke at a virtual panel on Tuesday afternoon to address the growing concern of mental health in the state of Wisconsin and solutions that are being brought to the table.

Conversations regarding the mental health crisis, both nationally and in the state of Wisconsin, have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, though it's been a concern even before that.

"Really that loneliness we're seeing, just a lot of people who are just disconnected, children and adults alike," said Maria Perez, the vice president of behavioral health at Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers.

At the Wisconsin Health News panel Tuesday, health experts mentioned that more than a third of students in Wisconsin feel sad or hopeless every day, according to the Office of Children's Mental Health -- a 10% increase over the past decade.

"We know that one in five kids are engaging in self-harm, one in four girls are seriously considering suicide...in addition to that, we know that kids are not feeling like they belong at school," said Linda Hall, director at the Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health.

Hall said most of these trends began well before the pandemic but were exaggerated after the fact. She added that growing disparities among some vulnerable, and often minority populations, have become more evident.

"Kids of color, Black and brown kids, have a harder time getting access to care, certainly access to care with culturally sensitive therapists," Hall expressed.

The panel of experts agreed that part of solving this growing crisis means encouraging leaders to invest more money.

"We have been working on this one particular bill for four consecutive sessions now, and that is access to get more psychiatrists to practice here in the state of Wisconsin," said Rep. Paul Tittl, the current chair of the Assembly Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Prevention.

Rep. Tittl said it's also about making sure resources are available to those who need it the most in a timely manner.

"You have someone that finally agrees to get the help that they need and then they have to wait nine months for an appointment," he said.

Continuing to invest in mental health resources, especially in schools catering to youth, is a top priority. Though Perez said it's equally important to recognize just how far Wisconsin has come.

"I think, yes, this is an important conversation because we have every right to be concerned, but let's also be optimistic, cause there's some really, really good stuff going on in Wisconsin that are indicators that there's some light shining in through those dark clouds," she said.