GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach’s 2020 budget proposal backs an initiative to build a new integrated crisis assessment center to help those struggling with mental health issues.
“We are going to construct a one-stop service for those individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis,” says Streckenbach, “the efficiencies that are gained, our first responders and law enforcement back on the road and for that client to have to tell the story once improves the system overall and saves taxpayers money.”
The current system forces people to repeat their story multiple times over the course of several hours, which is not efficient or beneficial to recovery. The new facility would streamline the process by incorporating emergency mental health services with on-site screening. It would also provide availability for adults to be admitted right away.
Streckenbach says the overall goal is to “give the person who’s experiencing that mental health crisis a better system to work within and hopefully faster recovery and treatment that they need.”
County Health and Human Services Executive Director Erik Pritzl says the facility picks up on two key best practices for assessment of people with crisis mental health needs.
“Reducing the amount of time in custody and reducing the number of unnecessary contacts with emergency departments,” Pritzl says is vital in the treatment and recovery process.
A similar model is used in Milwaukee County, and is a general basis for the development of the proposed crisis center. Pritzl believes the construction and use of a one-stop crisis center could help a lot of people across the community.
“It’s estimated that one in every five adults is experiencing mental health issues and that 4% are living with a severe mental illness,” Pritzl says “some people have the awareness, ability, and support to reach out for help. But often with a fair amount of stigma associated with experiencing something they didn’t ask for.”
The crisis center would cost an estimated $2.2 million if approved as part of next year’s budget. The building would be located adjacent to the current Community Treatment Center and is expected to begin operating by the end of 2020.
