Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley encouraged residents on May 1 to access available mental health services and resources throughout Mental Health Awareness Month. The announcement, made in partnership with the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Services, highlighted a range of community-based programs designed for both children and adults.
The focus on mental health comes as Milwaukee County continues efforts to connect people with holistic, person-centered care. According to Crowley, “Milwaukee County provides critical behavioral health services to children and adults, while continuing to invest in prevention though our Better Ways To Cope initiative, community-based partnerships, and innovative programs.” He said he encourages all county residents to explore these offerings so that those experiencing mental health challenges can receive necessary support.
Katharine Bottoni, Chair of the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board, said: “Our goal is to ensure residents across our community know where and how to access behavioral health services. Mental Health Awareness Month gives us the opportunity to highlight the critical services provided to children and adults. We strongly encourage anyone in need of support to explore the wide range of behavioral health services offered through Milwaukee County.”
Several events are scheduled this spring for families seeking information or support. These include National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 7 at Owen’s Place; a resource fair hosted by the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force on June 9 at Independence First; and the 1,000 Doors Challenge celebrating National Harm Reduction Day with resources distributed from Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center on June 12.
Desilynn Smith, Executive Director of Uniting Garden Homes Inc., said: “My organization…is working to improve community health and end stigma around mental wellness and substance misuse…We believe that if we make meaningful connections for our neighbors to behavioral health services, that will truly make a difference. When we are called, we respond.” Beth Lohmann, Director of BHS Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), added: “CCS works with people across the lifespan…It is a voluntary program providing support for people to build skills to be independent and thrive.” CCS partners with over 100 agencies through its youth and adult care coordination teams.
The press release also noted recent initiatives such as Harm Reduction MKE—which placed harm reduction vending machines throughout the county—and programs like “Pull Up & Pick Up” offering free supplies monthly at designated locations.
In addition to these developments in public service delivery, educational data show that Oak Creek High School had the highest enrollment among local schools during the 2023-24 year with over two thousand students according to state education officials. Black students represented about one-third of all students enrolled in county schools this academic year according to state education data, while white students comprised nearly thirty percent according to Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction. Hispanic students were reported as making up almost twenty-five percent—the third largest group—of enrolled students as shown by official figures.
Among less represented groups were multiracial students at five-and-a-half percent according to official reports, while Pacific Islander students made up just one-tenth of one percent—the smallest proportion—of total enrollment as recorded by state authorities.
