MADISON–The Wisconsin State Assembly was in session today to take up several bills and resolutions, including Assembly Joint Resolution 55, designating May as Mental Health Awareness Month in Wisconsin. Rep. Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), Ranking Member on the Assembly Committee on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Prevention, issued the following statement:
“I’m here today as a proud co-sponsor of this resolution to honor Mental Health Awareness Month. I’m also here to ensure that we do more than say words–we need action.
“I want to remind you that when you draft and debate and pass anti-LGBTQ+ bills, it’s bad for the mental health of Wisconsin’s kids. I want to remind you that when we do not have mental health committee hearings, we are no closer to passing mental health bills. I want to remind you that when JFC kills mental health funding from the state budget, we are farther from helping kids. I want to remind you that when the President cuts key mental health funding to our schools, we stare down the reality of less mental health professionals working with our kids, not more.
“So we can pass this resolution, and I appreciate that we are, but we have to match these words today with action. We have to make up for the cuts from the federal government, we have to restore mental health funding–including anti-suicide initiatives–to the state budget, we have to pass postpartum Medicaid expansion to help mothers survive the difficult first year of motherhood–we have to match our words today with action. Forward, together.”
Rep. Vining represents the 13th Assembly District, which includes Elm Grove, and parts of Wauwatosa and Brookfield. For more information visit Rep. Vining’s website here.
