Mental Health Advocates To Meet Their Legislators In Landmark Day

MADISON, WI – Approximately one in five adults in the United States – 43.8 million – experience mental illness within a given year. Nearly 60 percent of these adults did not receive proper mental health services within the previous year.

“Statistics show that over 800,000 individuals in Wisconsin alone are experiencing mental illness,” said Nate Schorr, Executive Director of NAMI Wisconsin, told Wisconsin Patch.

On Thursday, May 3, mental health advocates from across the state of Wisconsin will gather at the State Capitol to talk with state legislators and their staff to advocate for measures that will improve the quality of life for those in Wisconsin who live with and suffer from mental illness.

The event is part of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Wisconsin’s Action on the Square day, which is an opportunity for people to address challenges and inform policymakers of gaps in the mental health system, while also celebrating the many successes and strides that advocates have created.

“Although the mental health system has taken some really great strides throughout the last few years, we still have a lot of advocating to do,” said Crystal Hester, Public Policy & Advocacy Director at NAMI Wisconsin.

Organizers are hopeful that area lawmakers will gain a better understanding mental health issues from their in-person meetings, while learning that recovery is possible with the right tools.

State Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine) said people living with mental illness have impacted her life on a day-to-day basis, and she believes strongly in fighting for those who are struggling to improve their quality of life.

“I’m participating in NAMI’s Action on the Square because mental health is an issue that touches everyone in our community. Most days I’m in Racine, I’m approached by a community member concerned that we aren’t doing enough to address mental illness and to support those in our community struggling with mental health," she told Patch. "People who have a mental illness deserve the same opportunities as anyone else – we all deserve access to quality healthcare and rewarding work. Youth with mental illnesses in particular are often overlooked in our community. We can work together to provide the support and resources so everyone, including people who experience mental illness, can succeed in Racine."

The event will kick off at 9 a.m. at the Best Western Premier Park Hotel with a series of mini-workshops where people will learn about current issues in the mental health system and receive tips for successful meetings with their state representatives.

Attendees will then congregate to the Wisconsin State Capitol at 12 p.m. to rally and hear from guest speakers. Afterwards, advocates will then attend their face-to-face meetings with their legislators to explain priority issues and share their personal experiences.

Here is a list of legislators in southeastern Wisconsin who are expected to participate:

Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee)
Sen. LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. David Crowley (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. David Bowen (D-Milwaukee)
Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine)
Rep. Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem)
Rep. Robin Vos (R-Rochester)
Sen. Robert Wirch (D-Somers)
Rep. Tod Ohnstad (D-Kenosha)
Rep. Greta Neubauer (D-Racine)
Rep. Peter Barca (D-Kenosha)
Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Daniel Riemer (D-Milwaukee)
Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee)
Rep. Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee)

(AP Photo/Scott Bauer, File)