Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I’m kicking off the month by encouraging folks to take good care of their mental health, to have honest conversations about mental health, and to take good care of one another.
>From challenges making ends meet to all the chaos and uncertainty today to what folks are seeing on the news, folks and kids are struggling perhaps now more than ever.
Taking care of our mental health is too darn important.
I declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health across Wisconsin because I believe that the mental health and behavioral health challenges we’re seeing will have cascading consequences for generations if we don’t start taking them seriously—and soon.
Take our kids, for example. According to the Office of Children’s Mental Health, kids across our state have reported increased levels of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.
It’s why I’m urging the Legislature to approve my budget plan to invest $300 million in school-based mental health services for our kids so that they can bring their best selves to the classroom each day.
Additionally, we know our veterans often face unique personal battles in their civilian lives, so my budget invests in emergency and community-based mental health services for our nation’s heroes.
And here in America’s Dairyland, we know the work of farmers and producers, farm families, and our agricultural industries are so important, but it’s also tough and stressful work.
My budget doubles funding to support farmer mental health services, including a 24/7 crisis helpline and virtual counseling.
We also have to work to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone, which is why my budget will require health insurance companies to cover in-patient crisis care, expand coverage for telehealth services, and crack down on surprise billings—and more.
So, during Mental Health Awareness Month, take time to check in with yourself and others, and let’s build a healthier, stronger Wisconsin for everybody.
Thank you.
