Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is channeling May's Mental Health Awareness Month into concrete action, announcing a statewide Mental Health Action Plan designed to address what he calls a "burgeoning crisis" affecting the state's children, families, and workforce. The plan, developed by the governor's Interagency Council on Mental Health and released last month alongside the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, offers what Evers describes as "a roadmap to help us address the root causes of mental health crises, increase awareness and reduce the stigma around mental health."
The timing reflects an urgent reframing of how states approach mental wellness. In his weekly radio address, Evers pointed directly to children's struggles, noting that young people face mounting pressures—from family turmoil to cyberbullying to troubling news coverage. "From struggles at home to cyberbullying and what they see on the news, our kids are struggling perhaps now more than ever," Evers said. This concern elevated mental health to such prominence that he declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health during his State of the State address, signaling that the issue would anchor his administration's policy work.
Wisconsin's investment reflects this priority. The bipartisan 2025-27 Biennial Budget, signed by Evers last July, dedicated $30 million to continuing school-based mental health services statewide, building on the governor's "Get Kids Ahead" initiative. The budget also earmarked $7 million for 24/7 virtual telehealth mental health services available to students across University of Wisconsin System campuses—recognizing that rural and underserved areas often lack local providers. An additional $200,000 supports the mental health needs of farmers and their families, a demographic facing particular isolation and stress.
The statewide action plan itself represents a shift toward coordinated, government-wide response rather than siloed efforts. By convening an interagency council in 2024, Evers brought together health, education, and social service sectors to align their work around shared mental health goals. This approach acknowledges that mental wellness cannot be addressed through any single program or department alone.
Evers also sounded a note of caution about federal uncertainties. "Especially as we see chaos at the federal level that threatens to gut millions of dollars for mental and behavioral health services, public health, emergency services, and more, it's more important than ever that we do this work here in Wisconsin," he said. The comment underscores how state leaders are fortifying local mental health infrastructure even as federal funding remains unpredictable—a strategy that places Wisconsin among states taking ownership of the crisis rather than waiting for federal solutions.
For immediate support, Wisconsin residents can reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988, available 24/7 at no cost and in complete confidence. The state's Department of Health Services website offers additional resources for those seeking ongoing care. Anyone in immediate danger should call 911.
The Mental Health Action Plan signals that Wisconsin is moving beyond awareness campaigns into systems change—expanding access, reducing stigma, and building sustainable infrastructure designed to catch people before crisis strikes.