MADISON – During Governor Tony Evers’ State of the State Address, he declared 2023 the Year of Mental Health. The Governor followed this declaration with the announcement of significant budget provisions to increase access to mental health services and bolster the state’s mental health workforce. Senate Democratic Leader Melissa Agard (D-Madison) released the following statement:

“We know that any person - from our students to our moms and our veterans to our doctors - can be impacted by a mental health crisis. It is imperative that they have access to the necessary resources and support systems to overcome this obstacle. Governor Evers’ budget proposal prioritizes the people of our great state and strengthens Wisconsin’s mental health care infrastructure.”

Governor Evers’ executive budget includes $500 million to expand access to mental and behavioral health care, including veteran and school-based mental health services, suicide and crisis lifeline support, and efforts to bolster the mental and behavioral health workforce.

“Mental and behavioral health is not just a health issue, but also an economic one. When we increase access to mental health services, we make our state stronger because the strength of our state’s economy is dependent on the collective strength and well-being of the working folks in Wisconsin. We all do better, when we all do better. Governor Evers, my Democratic colleagues, and I will continue working for the very real needs of Wisconsinites.”