Ascension Wisconsin is addressing the mental health crisis through accessible care

MILWAUKEE, Wisc. — A local hospital system is addressing a growing need impacting the Milwaukee region: mental health care.

Brian Brawner says his journey to a healthy place with his depression wasn’t easy.

“I just got tired of feeling like everyone else had a different playbook in life, and that they had it easy and that life was great, and that nothing could possibly have been right with me,” said Brawner.

He credits the care he received from Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s behavioral health team with changing his life.

Watch: Ascension Wisconsin tackles the mental health crisis through accessible care

Ascension Wisconsin is addressing the growing mental health crisis through accessible care

“It was great. I mean, like I said, it goes way beyond just managing mental illness with medication,” Brawner said.

Brawner’s advisor Patrick Schultz says their focus is on ensuring all Milwaukeeans have access to quality care.

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

“We really strive to make care accessible to everyone and help them open up about their journey and create an environment where they can basically find their voice,” Schultz said.

Recently, the Milwaukee Health Care Partnership identified mental health as the top issue in Milwaukee County, with one in four adults needing a diagnosis.

Schultz says Ascension has tackled that 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 region that uses both Medicare and Medicaid for day care,” said Patrick Schultz, Counselor, Ascension Wisconsin.

As Brawner continues to attend sessions regularly, he hopes others will find the courage to ask for support.

“I’m not necessarily saying I’m comfortable discussing it in a public forum, but if one person out there is more willing to come see the Ascension Program and get help, then it was worth it,” Brawner said.

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