Ascension Wisconsin is addressing the mental health crisis through accessible care

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — The local hospital system is meeting a growing need impacting the Milwaukee area: mental health.

Brian Brawner says his road to recovery from depression wasn’t easy.

“I just got tired of feeling like everyone had a different script in life, that they had an easy life and life was great, and that something couldn’t be right for me,” Brawner said.

He credits the care he received from the behavioral health team at Ascension Columbia St. Mary, changed his life.

Watch: Ascension Wisconsin helps address the mental health crisis through accessible care

Ascension Wisconsin helps address the growing mental health crisis through accessible care

“It was wonderful. “I mean, like I said, it goes way beyond treating mental illness with medication,” Brawner said.

Brawner advisor Patrick Schultz says they are focused on ensuring all Milwaukeeans have access to high-quality care.

Patrick Schultz.jpeg — Patrick Schultz, Advisor, Ascension Wisconsin

“We’re really trying to make care accessible to everyone and help them be open to the journey and create an environment where they can basically find their voice,” Schultz said.

Recently, the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership recognized that mental health is the most important issue in Milwaukee County, with one in four adults receiving a diagnosis.

Schultz says Ascension has taken on this challenge head-on by addressing the price of treatment, which can often discourage people from seeking help.

“We are one of the few hospital systems in the area that utilizes both Medicare and Medicaid for day care services,” said Patrick Schultz, a consultant at Ascension Wisconsin.

Brawner continues to attend sessions regularly and hopes others will have the courage to ask for support.

“I’m not necessarily even saying I feel comfortable discussing this in a public forum, but if even one person is more willing to come and look at the Ascension program and get help, then it’s been worth it,” Brawner said.

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