A few zip codes in Milwaukee County are among the most economically disadvantaged in the nation. One that consistently ranks in that category is 53206. In these instances, behavioral and mental health concerns can be intensified.
An announcement today from officials at Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division (BHD) says they are inviting residents with mental illness and their families to share insights in community conversations. The goal of these conversations is to help shape the organizations’s new Northside facility. Three of the four conversations will be held in the 53206 zip code.
According to a press release, Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services, Héctor Colón said, “BHD is in the early stages of developing the community-based behavioral health center to provide access to services for Milwaukee County’s most underserved populations.”
Additionally, the facility will be the first community-based center. The new facility will integrate primary care and behavioral health to treat the whole person. “Behavioral health is an important part of a person’s overall health. If you need support, you should get it before you are in crisis. We would not tell an individual with heart disease to wait 60 days for treatment, but sometimes people with behavioral health challenges have to wait that long or longer to receive care. Our department is taking the lead to change that,” Colón added.
Four community conversations for people with mental illness and their family members are planned for December 2016 and January 2017.
Friday, December 16, 2016 1:30 PM (start) to 3:30 PM Progressive Baptist Church 8324 W. Keefe Ave. Milwaukee, 53223
Tuesday, December 20, 2016 2:30 PM (start) to 4:30 PM Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1345 West Burleigh Street, Milwaukee, 53206
Wednesday, January 04, 2017 1:30 PM (start) to 3:30 PM Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1345 West Burleigh Street, Milwaukee, 53206
Wednesday, January 25, 2017 Time: TBD Metropolitan Baptist Church, 1345 West Burleigh Street, Milwaukee, 53206
“Our goal is the provide access to best practice care and support before people are in crisis. To do this right, we need to engage the individuals we serve at BHD in the decision making,” says Mike Lappen, administrator for the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division.
