The Mental Health System: Kenosha County, Wisconsin
The Landscape of Kenosha County Mental Health Providers
More people are seeking mental health care as a result of the mental health coverage in the Affordable Care Act. Unfortunately, there is a nation-wide shortage of psychiatrists. This is especially apparent in Kenosha County where the ratio of mental health providers to patients is 1:1075 - the worst shortage of all counties in Wisconsin (according to Kenosha News, "County Trying To Cope With Shortage Of Psychiatrists" 9/14/2015.)
More over, if an individual is in crisis and needs psychiatric hospitalization, Kenosha County is lacking in available treatment facilities. Often patients are transferred to St. Luke's in Racine or Rogers Memorial Hospital in West Allis.
For NAMI Wisconsin resources on Navigating the System, click here.
More people are seeking mental health care as a result of the mental health coverage in the Affordable Care Act. Unfortunately, there is a nation-wide shortage of psychiatrists. This is especially apparent in Kenosha County where the ratio of mental health providers to patients is 1:1075 - the worst shortage of all counties in Wisconsin (according to Kenosha News, "County Trying To Cope With Shortage Of Psychiatrists" 9/14/2015.)
More over, if an individual is in crisis and needs psychiatric hospitalization, Kenosha County is lacking in available treatment facilities. Often patients are transferred to St. Luke's in Racine or Rogers Memorial Hospital in West Allis.
For NAMI Wisconsin resources on Navigating the System, click here.
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Corporate Council and Mental Health Statutes
The Kenosha County Corporate Council concentrates on general municipal law, labor relations, environmental and land use law, and worker's compensation cases as well as handling over 700 mental commitments and protective placements annually for individuals in need of care due to the infirmities of aging, mental illness and addiction. Wisconsin state law on Mental Health can be found online. Mental Health Act - Chapter 51: STATE ALCOHOL, DRUG ABUSE, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND MENTAL HEALTH ACT. |
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Report: 55 Wisconsin counties face psychiatrist shortages
More than three-quarters of Wisconsin counties have significant shortages of psychiatrists, according to a Thursday report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Fifty-five of 72 Wisconsin counties face a “significant shortage” of psychiatrists and 20 have no practicing psychiatrists at all. The dearth of psychiatrists in these areas, along with the high prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse in the state, likely contribute to a gap in which more than half of Wisconsin adults in need of services for a mental health disorder go without care.
wisconsin_shortages_of_psychiatrist_care_2018.pdf
Read more.
More than three-quarters of Wisconsin counties have significant shortages of psychiatrists, according to a Thursday report from the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Fifty-five of 72 Wisconsin counties face a “significant shortage” of psychiatrists and 20 have no practicing psychiatrists at all. The dearth of psychiatrists in these areas, along with the high prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse in the state, likely contribute to a gap in which more than half of Wisconsin adults in need of services for a mental health disorder go without care.
- 55 counties have less than one psychiatrist for every 10,000 residents, which the Department of Health Services defines as a “significant shortage.”The federal government defines shortages as one psychiatrist per 30,000 residents. Under that definition, half of the counties face shortages.
- 20 counties in the state, mostly located in northern Wisconsin, lack psychiatrists.
- Moreover, the state’s psychiatrist workforce is aging. The average psychiatrist is 50 years old, and 15 percent in the state are 65 or older.
wisconsin_shortages_of_psychiatrist_care_2018.pdf
Read more.
STATE OF MENTAL HEALTH REPORT
For the fifth year in a row, Mental Health America (MHA) released its annual State of Mental Health Report, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on several mental health and access measures. This year, Minnesota came out on top overall with Nevada coming in 51st. The report also dives into addressing trauma in youth, and its long-term impact on performance and behavior in school.
MHA’s report also shines the spotlight on childhood trauma and its impact long-term, and releases data that shows how much trauma can impact youth in school. Trauma-impacted youth are more likely to be absent from school, find themselves removed from classrooms, or struggle with academics.
Click here to read the 2019 State of Mental Health in America Report and see how your state ranked for mental health care and access.
For the fifth year in a row, Mental Health America (MHA) released its annual State of Mental Health Report, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on several mental health and access measures. This year, Minnesota came out on top overall with Nevada coming in 51st. The report also dives into addressing trauma in youth, and its long-term impact on performance and behavior in school.
MHA’s report also shines the spotlight on childhood trauma and its impact long-term, and releases data that shows how much trauma can impact youth in school. Trauma-impacted youth are more likely to be absent from school, find themselves removed from classrooms, or struggle with academics.
Click here to read the 2019 State of Mental Health in America Report and see how your state ranked for mental health care and access.