SPONSORED BY: ROGERS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
In 2024, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reported that 23.4% of adults in the U.S. experienced mental health challenges in the past year – equivalent to 61.5 million people. If you have not experienced mental health challenges yourself, you almost certainly know someone who has. In recent decades, access to mental health care has expanded significantly; however, openly discussing mental health struggles can still carry bias. Cindy Meyer, President and CEO of Rogers Behavioral Health, is among the leaders working to improve both access to and quality of care.
Rogers Behavioral Health operates 11 locations across Wisconsin, offering a full continuum of services, including inpatient, residential and outpatient treatment, telehealth and cognitive behavioral therapy. Meyer encourages anyone who believes they may need support to reach out. “At Rogers, we believe that by continuing to foster open conversations about mental health, we can reduce perceived barriers to accessing care,” Meyer says. “Prioritizing mental well-being is essential to leading a fulfilling, healthy life, and we are committed to supporting individuals at every step of that journey.”
What’s Right for You?
Mental health providers across metro Milwaukee offer a wide array of treatment options. Here are just a few to consider.
Inpatient Treatment
For those who are struggling to manage harmful thoughts or feelings, are going through substance withdrawal and need assistance, or are experiencing a mental health-related emergency, inpatient treatment at a mental health treatment facility can be the best option. Rogers Behavioral Health offers inpatient treatment at its Wisconsin locations, where trained teams of care professionals provide round-the-clock care to get patients to the point of safety and stability.
Outpatient Treatment
When most people describe outpatient treatment, they’re thinking about traditional talk therapy. But there is a wide range of other options. Jewish Family Services is a nonprofit serving Milwaukee since 1867, providing outpatient mental health and counseling, social services, case management, and affordable and supportive housing. Staffed by licensed professionals in psychotherapy, psychiatric medication management, and social services, the clinic takes a holistic approach, focusing on stability, emotional health and overall well-being. Programs support children, adults, and older adults with compassion and expertise, helping people navigate life’s challenges and celebrate their strengths.
At Rogers Behavioral Health, you can receive traditional therapy along with other modalities. That includes cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing thought patterns and behaviors; dialectical behavioral therapy, developing skills for mindfulness and regulation; and exposure and response prevention, confronting fears in a controlled setting.
Mental Health and Substance Use Drop-In Care
Our Space’s Drop-In Center (1527 W. National Ave.) is open Monday-Friday for anyone who needs support with substance use or mental health issues. The center offers peer support and advocacy, educational and skill-building groups, as well as crisis planning and support. Our Space’s Comprehensive Community Services recovery groups are designed to help individuals build skills that strengthen recovery and independence.
Our Space also operates a “warmline” (414-877-5918) that’s available to call for anyone who isn’t in an immediate crisis but still needs someone to talk to for emotional support.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-approved outpatient treatment for difficult-to-treat depression. Over a series of sessions, patients receive stimulation to the brain’s prefrontal cortex through a magnetic coil. Associated Mental Health Consultants was the first clinic in Wisconsin to offer the innovative procedure, which is also available at Rogers Behavioral Health.
AMHC specializes in treatment-resistant depression and offers other advanced options beyond TMS, including ketamine therapy in the form of intranasal esketamine, medication management, and vagus nerve stimulation. Many of these services are covered by insurance. The multidisciplinary team includes experienced therapists who provide counseling for adults, adolescents and children, as well as psychiatric prescribers who treat a full range of psychiatric disorders.
Telehealth
Sometimes the best option for your mental health is the remote, flexible and convenient one. Telehealth services allow patients to have virtual visits with psychotherapists and other mental health pros. Associated Mental Health Consultants, Jewish Family Services and Rogers both offer telehealth options to make access to mental health care easier.
According to the nonprofit Mental Health America, 46% of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition in their lifetime. Most of us will encounter a friend, family member or loved one struggling with their mental health, and it’s natural to want to help.
When attempting to care for someone else, self-care is still crucial. It’s important to remember you can’t effectively help someone else if you’re not taking care of yourself, so take a step back when needed.
Leading with “I” statements when asking someone about their mental health can help take the pressure off the other person by framing the question around your experience. One example: “I noticed you’ve seemed sad recently. How are you doing?” This offers an opportunity for deeper connection and understanding.
Rogers Behavioral Health advises following these six steps to show up for those around you in a compassionate way.
- Try to be present during all interactions with those you care about. Being present and in the moment allows you to recognize signs of distress when they arise.
- Check in with yourself before broaching the mental health conversation. It’s easy to react with advice or judgment if you aren’t feeling grounded.
- Listen with curiosity. Seeking understanding allows you to comprehend the other person’s perspective.
- Cultivate empathy and approach with genuine concern.
- Create a plan of action with your loved one to figure out what would be most helpful for them.
- Take action.
If you’re in emotional distress and feel you might harm yourself or others, immediately call 988 – the national Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – or 911. The 988 Lifeline, available 24/7, allows for immediate connection with a trained counselor.
Milwaukee has many free mental health care resources. The Mental Health Emergency Center located at 1525 N. 12th St. offers crisis assessment, stabilization, treatment and more, 24/7. Another great resource is Milwaukee County’s Access Clinics, which serve uninsured residents. Call 211 for more information.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, clinical guidance consistently emphasizes seeking immediate support from trained professionals rather than relying on artificial intelligence tools. While digital platforms, including applications such as ChatGPT, are increasingly used by individuals for general information and support, they are not designed to provide crisis intervention, diagnosis or clinical treatment.
The Rogers Behavioral Health Foundation mobilizes philanthropy to expand access to life-saving mental health and addiction care, ensuring patients can receive treatment regardless of financial barriers. We invest in innovation and research that advance outcomes, while serving as a platform to elevate awareness, educate, and engage communities around today’s most urgent mental health challenges. Learn more or get involved at rogersbhfoundation.org or 262-646-1646.
The Charles E. Kubly Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by the disease of depression. Since its inception, the foundation has funded more than 500 mental health initiatives totaling just over $4.5 million. Its grants have focused on helping those affected by depression gain access to quality resources, raise awareness, erase stigma and prevent suicide. You can help support that mission at cekf.org.
