Mental Health Task Force Steering Committee Member, Susan Gadacz, spoke at the September 23rd Mental Health Board Public hearing to share our testimony with recommendations to support people experiencing challenges with substance use disorders. While there are many things working well to address SUD in Milwaukee, including peer-run respite, recovery support services, and the Narcan Direct program, the ever-increasing number of overdose deaths signals that we must do much more.
Events & Meetings
October 12th Mental Health Task Force Meeting
Join us for the Mental Health Task Force October meeting, on Tuesday, October 12th from 3 – 5 PM.
Agenda
View the meeting agenda here (pdf).
View the meeting recording here (Youtube; captions available).
Our agenda will include:
- Welcome and Task Force Updates, Mary Neubauer and Christine Apple
- Granite Hills Hospital Update, Jennifer Bergersen, CEO
- Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) update and changes, Nick Di Meo, Wisconsin DHS
- Wisconsin Community Services (WCS) Hub & Spoke Program, Eric Diamond, Director of Innovation and Special Projects and Maya Robinson, Assistant Director of Hub & Spoke Health Home
- Debrief on our 2021 Karen Avery Forum, Celebrating Recovery, Ending Stigma, Embracing Possibilities and discussion of next steps.
- Advocacy Opportunity: SB-600 Decriminalizing Fentanyl Test Strips (pdf).
- View the full MHTF MH Board testimony here (pdf).
- View Childs’ “Drug Checking with Fentanyl Test Strips” presentation here (pdf).
- Studies
- Fentanyl self-testing outside supervised injection settings to prevent opioid
overdose: Do we know enough to promote it? (pdf). - Evaluation of a fentanyl drug checking service for clients of a supervised injection facility, Vancouver, Canada (Harm Reduction Journal).
- Harm reduction measures employed by people using opioids with suspected fentanyl exposure in Boston, Baltimore, and Providence (Harm Reduction Journal).
- Fentanyl self-testing outside supervised injection settings to prevent opioid
Meeting Registration
To receive the meeting link, register below:
Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force Congratulates 2021 Award Recipients
The Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force (MHTF) is very gratified to congratulate the remarkable recipients of our 2021 awards recognizing outstanding leadership and mental health advocacy. The awards will be presented Tuesday afternoon, September 14th , at the 2021 Karen Avery Forum, “Celebrating Recovery, Ending Stigma, Embracing Possibilities”.
Congratulations to Sarah Joyce, Troney C. Small, Jr., and Pete Koneazny. We thank them for their dedicated advocacy.
Read the full press release here (accessible pdf).
For information about the 2021 Karen Avery Forum, view the event information page here.
Milwaukee Mental Health Task Force 2021 Karen Avery Forum
Celebrating Recovery, Ending Stigma, Embracing Possibilities
– Awards Presentation –
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
2:30 – 5:30 PM – virtual event via Zoom
Substance use disorders impact the lives of so many Wisconsinites. Recovery is possible and is happening every day. Yet, limited resources and stigma continue to be barriers. Extending hope and extending life to people who use drugs and alcohol involves many strategies.
Our 2021 Forum will identify opportunities to address substance use disorders as a public health concern and normalize harm reduction strategies. We will present best practices nationally as well as identify effective and non-stigmatizing treatment options that are available in Milwaukee. Forum participants will be asked to look forward and identify new possibilities for our community.
- View the forum flyer here (accessible pdf) for additional information including our speakers, and continuing education credit.
- Forum materials and resources are available via the 2021 Karen Avery Forum Resource page here.
- The forum will be captioned and ASL interpreters will be available. To request other disability related accommodations, email barbara.beckert@drwi.org by September 3rd. We will do our best to be responsive to requests received after that date.
- View the recording of the forum on Youtube here.
Register for the Forum Here
Registration is required. Complete the form below to register and receive the Zoom link.
International Overdose Awareness Day Memorial Event – August 31st
August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day. Milwaukee will honor those we have lost to overdose with a memorial event and Resource Fair on August 31 from noon – 3 PM at Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan St.
See the event flyer for details here (pdf).
For information, contact akon@communityadvocates.net.