In 2004, in response to a crisis in inpatient psychiatric services that exposed major gaps in Milwaukee’s system of mental health care, the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force was officially formed. The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force is committed to being a leader in identifying issues faced by all people affected by mental illness, facilitating improvements in mental health services, giving consumers and families a strong voice, reducing stigma, and implementing recovery principles.
In 2008, the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force continues to provide a forum wherein different sectors of the mental health delivery system come together to address and resolve issues of interest to all people affected by mental illness.
Over 45 organizations and agencies continue participation as Task Force members, including:
- mental health consumer groups such as Warmline Inc, Vital Voices, Our Space and NAMI
- representatives of the criminal justice system including the District Attorney’s and Public Defender’s offices, and the Sheriff’s and Police Departments
- community mental health service providers such as Transitional Living Services (TLS), Justice 2000 and Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)
- advocacy agencies such as the Mental Health America and Disability Rights Wisconsin
- health care representatives from hospital systems and managed care organizations
- Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division program staff and leadership
The coordination of the Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force has been made possible by three consecutive grant awards from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation to Disability Rights Wisconsin.  Without the support of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, much of the Task Force’s work would not be possible.
