The state of Wisconsin has another number for you to call when you are in need to talk to someone. Thanks to a $600,000 grant from the Wisconsin Department of Human Services, UpliftWI launched on Monday to help provide callers a voice to chat with when they are struggling with mental health or substance abuse when their symptoms have not reached emergency levels. The “warmline” will be staffed by people who can offer peer-to-peer support for callers who have experienced similar challenges. According to a 2019 Mental Health America study, the peer support strategy can lower the overall cost of mental health services. United Way of Door County Executive Director Amy Kohnle says any additional resources are helpful and appreciated in an area that is well behind the state and national averages for mental health professionals in their communities.

United Way of Door County is doing its part to address the area’s mental health challenges through a number of different programs including STRIDE, which brings services directly to students at Door County’s five schools. The organization is also sponsoring a conference on resiliency on August 15th at Sturgeon Bay’s Stone Harbor Resort. You can find more details on that event below.