This report highlighted elements of the Wisconsin mental health and substance use services to improve the health and well-being of people who need support. The data collected for this report identified many of the challenges across mental health and substance use services and highlighted improvements have occurred in various areas over time.
Concerns most often reported by respondents relate to access to services, workforce, stigma, and funding challenges. These same respondents also note several recommendations within each of these areas that can be considered to address these concerns. Ideas include providing more prevention and upstream services; integrating systems through shared data sharing and care coordination; expanding the workforce to include providers that specialize in serving specific cultural and linguistic populations; and addressing funding parity between public and private payers.
Mental health and substance use services system change is possible through continued dialogue and a collaborative approach spanning individuals being served, communities, providers, Tribal nations, and policymakers to ensure conditions where care and well-being are prioritized and attainable.
The 2025 Mental Health and Substance Use Gaps Analysis provides a foundation from which this work can continue.
Send questions about this report to dhswebmaildcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
See the Mental Health: Statistics and Substance: Use Statistics pages for more data on Wisconsin's mental health and substance use services system.
