Mental Health
Mental health advocates brace for budget cuts
In interviews with mental health advocates and county and state officials, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism found that Wisconsin’s public mental health system — once viewed as a national model — has become fragmented and underfunded. And many experts fear that as Gov. Scott Walker moves to close the state’s budget deficit, the mental health system will be further weakened (WISCNSIN WATCH, 4/4)
Another dance team upsets advocates for the mentally ill with straitjacket routine
It’s happened again. A dance team has won top honors for a routine featuring wild-haired girls dancing in straitjacket costumes, but this time the scary dancers are not from a local high school. Chicago’s Robert Morris University competitive dance team came in 8th last month in a national contest, and their routine reminds a lot of people of what happened last month in Waunakee. (CAPITAL TIMES, 3/16)
Mental health advocates in uproar over high school dance team’s ‘psych ward’ routine
The Waunakee High School dance team is headed to the state competition with a rather unique routine. In it, the team “gets crazy” while wearing uniforms resembling straitjackets and restraints with the words “Psych Ward” on them. (MSNBC.COM, 2/8)
Report: Mental health services have gaps
When it comes to providing mental health services to young people and those who live in rural areas, a group of local professionals says there is room for improvement in Sauk County. A report released this week by a consortium of government agencies and other safety net organizations states increasing the availability of services for young people may prevent mental health problems from blossoming or following them into adulthood. (BARABOO NEWS REPUBLIC, 2/4)
Parkside seeing more demand for mental health services
The need for mental health services among students at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside more than doubled over the past five years. (RACINE JOURNAL TIMES, 1/28)
Milwaukee County picks new mental health administrator
Michael Thomas, 64, a 35-year mental health professional, was introduced to county supervisors Wednesday as the new director of county mental health programs, the Journal Sentinel reports. He worked for the past 20 years in New York City for several public and private health care agencies. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/27)
Rising need for mental health services is tempered by decreases in funding
At a time when the need is growing for mental health services, many states are cutting back on spending. According to the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, last year spending on mental health services decreased nearly 5 percent compared to 2009. Early indications are that mental health budgets may decrease by 8 percent or more this year, according to a Gannett Wisconsin article. (OSHKOSH NORTHWESTERN, 1/24)
Holloway proposes mental health redesign
Milwaukee County would create a series of small-scale mental health facilities jointly operated with private vendors under a reform plan Acting County Executive Lee Holloway outlined Wednesday. The 16-bed buildings would be geographically scattered throughout the county, including upscale suburbs, and could attract additional federal funding, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/13)
Controversial county psychiatrist retires, sidestepping firing hearing
Controversial psychiatrist Karl Strelnick sidestepped a hearing Tuesday on whether he should be fired from the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex by retiring from the job he’s held since 1991, the Journal Sentinel reports. (JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/11)
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