Gov. Evers awards $650,000 worth of grants to community programs for veteran mental health

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Wisconsin state leaders are working to address on mental health crises across the state.

Governor Tony Evers visited Milwaukee Thursday evening to honor more than a dozen programs that prioritize veterans mental health needs.

$650,000 worth of grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) were distributed to 16 different organizations during Thursday's ceremony at the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center.

"This is about getting money in the pocket of people who are already doing the great work," said Colleen Flaherty, communications director for the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs.

The grants are part of Evers' $10 million investment in veterans programs across Wisconsin.

"It is really difficult for them, higher levels of suicide. So that's why we decided to use this ARPA money to really lower that. It'd be great if it was zero," Evers said.

Veterans are more susceptible to suicidal ideation, PTSD, and depression than the general public.

The organizations honored Thursday provide a wide variety of mental healthcare - from psychiatry to horse therapy.

"Mental healthcare is about a continuum of care from your doctor's office to your doorstep," Flaherty said.

More than half the recipients are in southeastern Wisconsin, including Great Lakes Community Conservation Corps.

"This grant gives us the ability to expand and solidify our infrastructure to serve veterans," said Chris Litzau, the organization's president.

Their program joins veterans with young adults in community redevelopment projects, allowing the vets to serve as mentors.

"Suicide prevention is about combatting isolation, so the whole idea of comradery and support and finding purpose and meaning," Litzau said. "Every veteran is unique, and every veteran has needs."

Thursday's ceremony was the first round of grants for veteran mental health programs. More are expected to be announced by next year.

"There are probably thousands of non-profits in Wisconsin that at least do some work with veterans. We could not deliver services without them," Flaherty said.

Two additional grant opportunities were also announced at Thursday's ceremony: one for veteran crisis emergency programs, and one for ancillary treatment programs.

Click here to access the application for Veteran Crisis Mental Health Treatment & Ancillary Program grants.