Mental health remains a prominent issue in Winnebago County. Specific concerns include high rates of suicide, lack of access to specialized and timely mental health treatments, and high incidence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Improving mental health will help us achieve lower rates of substance use, less violence, a more productive workforce, lower rates of disability due to mental illness, and overall healthier lives.
Northeast Wisconsin (NEW) Mental Health Connection
Winnebago County is a supportive member of NEW Mental Health Connection, a self-sustaining, accountable organization that focuses on the consumer of mental health services and moves our community forward. Community resources, care providers, and more information can be found on the MyConnection website.
Zero Suicide
The Zero Suicide approach aims to improve care and outcomes for individuals at risk of suicide in healthcare systems and the community. WCHD provides leadership for our local Zero Suicide coalition.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) Gatekeeper training equips you to identify and refer a person who is suicidal. Like CPR, QPR is a potentially life-saving intervention that anyone can use. Community for Hope, a community organization in Oshkosh, organizes and supports all QPR trainings in Winnebago County. WCPH promotes QPR training throughout the county and has staff who are trained as QPR instructors.
Healthy Teen Minds
In 2016, WCHD (fiscal agent) and the NEW Mental Health Connection (programmatic home) were awarded a grant for up to 8 years through the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program (HWPP) to improve behavioral health in Winnebago, Outagamie, and Calumet Counties. The project will focus on reducing youth depression, and is called “Healthy Teen Minds”. For more current information on the project, visit the NEW Mental Health Connection website.
Resources
- Crisis Services in Winnebago County
- Mental Health Resources in Winnebago County
- Youth Suicide Prevention Recommendations
- CDC Mental Health Resources
- WI DHS Mental Health Resources
