Mental Health

We've long been a catalyst for creating a better Milwaukee. Fulfilling that mission requires more than providing music and opportunities to connect with the city, as well as each other. It also involves confronting the challenges in front of us.

Mental health is something we need to prioritize as individuals and as an entire community. Thankfully, it's become more acceptable to talk about in recent years, which is why our Uniquely Milwaukee podcast is in the process of creating an entire month of episodes devoted to the topic. The four-part series will include interviews with experts and organizations trying to make a difference, as well as stories from people in the community.

We also included a variety of mental-health resources on this page. From general information to help lines to activities, these links were chosen by professionals in the field and individuals on their own mental-health journeys.

Finally, at the end of this month, we're co-hosting a special event with some of the hard-working individuals working in this space, in the hopes of creating a welcoming atmosphere — whether you're interested in joining the dialogue or just listening.

Music, Art and Mental Health: An Open Event

Thursday, Sept. 26
5-7:30 p.m.
MARN Art + Culture Hub

Join us for an evening that finds the intersection of music, art and mental health as a means of coping with the challenges we all face. This safe space will host open and honest discussions, including a panel of experts and guests looking to share their story, with the goal of helping connect others to healing resources.

5 p.m. — Welcome coffee and cocktails
5:30 p.m. — Panel discussion led by mental-health professional Jeremy Schumacher and featuring Emily Vander Velden of Renewed Focus Counseling; Sarah Bloomquist of Moms Mental Health Initiative; musician and author of It's Hard to Be a Person, Brett Newski; and Kim Shine of Radio Milwaukee/HYFIN. Each panelist will share a song that has helped them in their mental-health journey and talk about ways to apply music as a coping mechanism, followed by a brief Q&A with the audience.
6:30 p.m. — Decompression time, a chance for guests to interact with panel members and mental-health professionals in attendance, or take part in art activities courtesy of MARN.

To RSVP for the event and share songs that have meant a lot to your own mental-health journey, visit the Facebook event.

Uniquely Milwaukee: September episodes

Sept. 3: Overview and Understanding — In this opening episode, we dive into the complexities of suicide and death by despair. Experts in mental health provide insights to the underlying issues that can lead to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This episode will lay the foundation for a month of deep exploration, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of suicide and why it remains a critical public health issue.

Sept. 10: Community and Connection — We explore the role of community and connection in suicide prevention by hearing from local organizations, support groups and individuals working to create safe spaces and strong support networks for those at risk.

Sept. 24: Creating a Culture — Talking with the co-founders of Black Space about the importance of understanding and respecting diverse backgrounds as a way to break the cycle of silence and stigmas.

Sept. 26: Grief, Healing and Recovery — Experts in grief counseling and mental health share strategies for coping with loss and finding a path to recovery. This episode also addresses the ongoing nature of grief and how individuals can find ways to honor their loved ones while moving forward. Listeners will gain insights to the delicate balance between mourning and healing, and the importance of self-care in this process.

MKE Film's Dialogues Documentary Festival

Several entries in this year's inaugural Dialogues Documentary Festival running Sept. 26-29 advance the discussion about the important of mental health.

Agent of Happiness
Arun Bhattarai, Dorottya Zurbó | 2024 | Bhutan, Hungary
Sept. 26 | 4 p.m. | Downer Theatre (North Cinema)

What's the secret to happiness? The tiny mountain nation of Bhutan may have just cracked the code. In 2008 the Bhutanese government started measuring the "Gross National Happiness". Agents are sent across the country to measure people's happiness to inform the government's mandated goal of increasing happiness. The film follows two men as they travel the mountainside, getting to know the people and maybe finding their own happiness along the way.

My Sister Liv
Alan Hicks | 2022 | Australia, United States
9/28/2024 | 5:15 p.m. | Oriental Theatre (Abele Cinema)
Post-screening panel hosted by HYFIN’s Kim Shine

The bond between the sisters Tess and Liv seems to be unbreakable until Liv, who battles with depression, body dysmorphia, and suicidal thoughts, can’t take it anymore. Surviving sister Tess takes us on a heart-wrenching journey through their shared joys and fears, seeking to understand the circumstances that led to her sister’s death as she takes steps to help other struggling youth, honoring Liv’s memory by making a difference.

In this program of shorts, we bear witness to the great resilience of women in the face of trauma and gain insights to how collective action and activism can help surround impacted communities with abundant love and healing.

The Eternal Memory
Maite Alberdi | 2022 | Chile
Sept. 27 | 4:30 p.m. | Oriental Theatre (Herzfeld Cinema)

Augusto and Paulina have been in love for 25 years. Eight years ago, their lives were forever changed by Augusto's Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Oscar-nominated for Best Documentary Feature, The Eternal Memory beautifully balances the heartbreaking taxes of the disease with the same warmth and tender sense of humor shared by its subjects.

We Can Be Heroes
Carina Mia Wong, Alex Simmons | 2024 | United States
Sept. 28 | 8:15 p.m. | Oriental Theatre (Abele Cinema)

In a remote corner of upstate New York, a live-action role-playing (LARP) camp becomes a haven where magic isn't just make-believe. Here, neurodivergent, queer, and self-proclaimed "nerdy" teens find more than just camaraderie—they unearth a joyful sanctuary for self-discovery. As the campers immerse themselves in this imaginative world, they discover inner strength, heal from traumas, and emerge as heroes, both in the fantasy realm and in real life.

Content Creators

Brené Brown

Cory Muscara

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Simon Sinek

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Inspire the Mind

‘Ted Lasso’ and the Conversation Around Mental Health

Resources

For Immediate Help:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — A voluntary health organization that gives those affected by suicide a nationwide community empowered by research, education and advocacy to take action against this leading cause of death.
SAMHSA Helpline — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Help for Mental Illness — From the National Institute on Drug Abuse, a list of ways to get immediate help if you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health.
The Trevor Project — The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people, providing information and support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.
Veterans Crisis Line — Confidential crisis support for veterans and their families, available 24/7. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect.

Moms/Families:

Sojourner Family Peace Center — A Milwaukee-based provider of domestic violence prevention and intervention services whose goals are to ensure the safety of victims of family violence and provide a pathway out of violence for victims and abusers.
Moms Mental Health Initiative — For those experiencing postpartum depression and/or anxiety, MMHI works to ensure every mom, birthing person and family has access to equitable, quality care as they navigate their perinatal mental health journey.
Postpartum Support International — A helpline and other resources for those experiencing mental health issues related to childbearing.

General Resources:

Seize the Awkward — Starting a conversation about mental health does not need to be uncomfortable, and it can make all the difference. Here, you’ll find resources to learn how to support a friend or get help for yourself.
Talking About Suicide — From The Trevor Project, steps you can take to help if you recognize some of the warning signs of suicide in someone you know or feel that someone you know is at risk for suicide.
Self-Compassion Exercises — Recorded practices from Dr. Kristin Neff designed to help you be with yourself in a healthy and supportive way. Please note these practices are not a substitute for therapy.
Harm Reduction — From the National Institute on Drug Abuse, learn about approaches that help reduce certain health and safety issues associated with drug use.
The ADHD Project — Practical support and guidance for individuals with ADHD to help them navigate life's challenges with confidence, lead more fulfilling lives and embrace their neurotype.
Adult Autism/ADHD Resources — Dr. Christine Henry enlisted the help of two neurodivergent colleagues to collect a list of resources they found helpful in their journeys and that others might use for clarity and insight.
ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder Resources — Compiled by neurodivergent therapists, these resources available to the neurodivergent community include everything from books to legal help.

Milwaukee-area practice owners: