Governor's Interagency Council on Mental Health
Working together to improve the mental health of Wisconsinites
The Governor's Interagency Council on Mental Health brings together 10 state agencies to create a statewide action plan to address Wisconsin's mental health crisis.
Wisconsin's Mental Health Action Plan
To improve and support the mental health of all Wisconsinites, we must take a whole-of-government approach. Learn about how state agencies are working to support the well-being of Wisconsinites.
Why this work matters
Wisconsin’s mental health crisis reaches all corners of our state and impacts Wisconsinites of all ages and backgrounds. One in five Wisconsin adults experiences a mental illness each year.
Every Wisconsinite should have the supports and resources they need to get help when and where they need it – whether someone is noticing symptoms for the first time or needs critical care for a more complex condition.
This action plan ensures our response is united and supports comprehensive care at every level of need, in all regions of our state, while also prioritizing prevention efforts to help intervene early and prevent mental and behavioral health crises.
A key part of our work to improve mental health is tied to access to affordable and quality health care, economic stability, social and community connectedness, healthy housing, and food security.
About the council
The council brings together state agencies to expand prevention efforts and increase access to mental health services when and where people need them. By collaborating and coming together, we can improve the mental health outcomes of Wisconsinites. The council is charged with:
- Bringing together state agencies to assess mental health programs, evaluate gaps, and align programs
- Reviewing current programs, including those developed using American Rescue Plan Act funds, to determine sustainability or expansion
- Developing proposals to address the root causes of the mental health crisis, creating pathways to sustain interagency partnerships, and developing performance metrics to evaluate the outcomes of these initiatives
- Strengthening agency relationships with community partners, including local units of government, school districts, court systems, and others, to build capacity to address the mental health crisis
- Collaborating to improve the social and economic factors, also known as social determinants, that impact one's mental health, such as access to quality, affordable health care, safe housing, food security, financial security, and social connection among Wisconsinites
Members
- Kathy Blumenfeld, Secretary, Department of Administration
- Aileen Switzer, Deputy Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
- Jeff Pertl, Secretary, Department of Children and Families
- Jared Hoy, Secretary, Department of Corrections
- Kirsten Johnson, Secretary, Department of Health Services
- Leah Moore, Department of Military Affairs
- Dan Hereth, Secretary, Department of Safety and Professional Services
- Joey Hoey, Assistant Deputy Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs
- Amy Pechacek, Secretary, Department of Workforce Development
- Elmer Jr. Moore, CEO and Executive Director, Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Investing in mental health
Governor Evers' proposed in his 2025-27 executive budget to do what's best for kids, keep communities safe, and ensure folks have the support and resources they need by investing nearly $1 billion in mental health services for all Wisconsinites.