Gov. Walker unveils nearly $30 million increase for mental health services in budget

Walker told the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Counties Association that his proposal was the result of discussions with mental health professionals and advocates across the state. He said he had been looking into expanding mental health services over the last year, but added that the issue took on added urgency in the wake of mass shootings in Wisconsin and elsewhere.

"We're ecstatic," said Shel Gross, director of public policy for Mental Health America of Wisconsin and chairman of the Wisconsin Council on Mental Health. "One of my colleagues who works in children's services was in tears. These are things we've been working on for years."

Gross said the additional money would help fix "huge discrepancies" in services that exist from county to county and lift the burden on counties struggling to provide adequate care.

"Whether or not you're an adult or a child, you're going to have a much better chance of accessing mental health services in Wisconsin," Gross said of the proposed funding.

In the wake of last year's mass shootings — including one at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek in which six worshippers were killed and another at a Brookfield spa that left three women dead — Walker said he met with mental health professionals, advocates and others to talk about the needs of people with mental health troubles.

"Initially, the discussion centered on those tragedies," he said. "But it's really much bigger than that, it's much broader than that, it's not just in reaction to that. There is a tremendous need in terms of addressing mental health in our society."

Walker said he hoped the funding would help break the stigma around mental illness and expand successful mental health care programs statewide.

The $28.9 million increase in mental health funding will be included in his two-year budget proposal, which is set to be unveiled Feb. 20, he said.

The governor said his proposal includes an additional $3.7 million in funding for children with behavioral problems, $10.2 million to expand community-based care programs for adults and children with severe mental illness, $12.5 million to fund two additional treatment units at Mendota Health Institute, $1.3 million for peer-run "respite centers" for people in crisis, and other funding.

Also Wednesday, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, announced the creation of a bipartisan state Assembly task force to address mental health care in Wisconsin.

The first meeting of the 11-member committee will be Feb. 27, and the task force is expected to hold hearings around the state to discuss improving mental health treatment.

"Like the governor, who made an announcement today, we recognize that the current system for treating those with mental illness is simply not getting the job done," Vos said.

Vos said that he is still reviewing details in Walker's proposal but is open to it and added that he thinks the task force will complement the governor's plans.

Task force co-chairwoman Rep. Sandy Pasch, D-Shorewood, a longtime nurse and proponent for treating mental health issues, said she supports Walker's proposal. Pasch added that she hopes the governor also expands Medicaid coverage for the uninsured as a way to help treat mental illness.

"I would also like to see an expansion of BadgerCare so people can have access to their primary care physicians, who are often times the first people who identify mental health problems," she said.

The task force is chaired by Rep. Erik Severson, R-Star Prairie. Vos said it would make recommendations about improving mental health services to the state Assembly by the end of May.