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Board backs resolution urging Mental Health Board funding for suicide-prevention training
Summary
The Milwaukee County Board voted to support a resolution urging the Milwaukee Mental Health Board to provide funding for the We Can Save Lives Tour suicide-prevention trainings; sponsors said training complements crisis services and early-intervention efforts.
The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution on Feb. 6 urging the Milwaukee Mental Health Board to provide funding for the We Can Save Lives Tour, a program that provides suicide-prevention training across Wisconsin.
Supervisor Vincent, who spoke during floor debate, framed the resolution as a move toward early intervention: "Suicide being the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults in Wisconsin, the crisis demands urgent action," he said, arguing training and early outreach complement existing crisis services such as the 988 lifeline.
Supporters said the trainings teach participants to recognize warning signs, build empathy, and reduce stigma, and that earlier intervention is preferable to waiting until a person is in active crisis. "While strengthening existing crisis response teams is important, waiting until a person is in crisis is, in my opinion, too late," Vincent said.
Opponents and cautioning supervisors emphasized funding sources. Supervisor Wasserman and others said the mental health board has its own funding streams and should be the primary payer rather than the county general fund; the resolution as adopted asks the Mental Health Board to provide funding or consider the request.
The board adopted the resolution by roll call. The clerk recorded the passage as adopted in the minutes; the roll call recorded 17 ayes (meeting minutes). The resolution endorses the Mental Health Board's efforts to expand suicide-prevention training and signals the county board's support as the Mental Health Board considers funding or partnerships.
Why it matters: suicide prevention training aims to give residents and local workers tools to intervene earlier, and the board's endorsement increases visibility for the Mental Health Board's funding decisions.
The board added several supervisors as co-sponsors during debate; the resolution will be transmitted to the Milwaukee Mental Health Board for consideration.
