Marshfield Clinic awarded grant to address mental health in rural Wisconsin

WISCONSIN – Marshfield Clinic recently announced that it was awarded a three-year Mental Health Awareness Training Grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

A release from Marshfield Clinic said the grant will bring nearly $580,000 in federal funding to support mental health awareness, education and access across central and northern Wisconsin.

SAMHSA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, leads public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse and provide treatments and support to foster recovery while ensuring access and better outcomes, according to the release.

Marshfield Clinic said it will strengthen community capacity to recognize mental health concerns, respond to crises and connect youth and young adults to appropriate services across a 17-county region of northern, central and western Wisconsin.

“Through evidence-based training, resource development, community outreach and mental health navigator support, the project will improve early identification and access to behavioral health, crisis and recovery services,” Marshfield Clinic stated.

“Mental health continues to be a significant need in many of the communities we serve, and this funding helps us build on existing efforts while creating new opportunities for impact,” said Jay Shrader, Vice President of Community Impact and Social Accountability. “This grant is a great example of how we’re using external funding to address priorities identified through our Community Health Needs Assessments and advance our Community Impact Strategy, while at the same time promoting our behavioral health services.”

The release said special implementation efforts will focus on Barron, Clark, Oneida, Price, Rusk and Vilas counties, where behavioral health workforce shortages, provider scarcity, transportation challenges, fragmented referral systems and limited access to care contribute to elevated rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicide risk. The predominantly rural service area includes 14 counties designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas, reflecting significant challenges in accessing behavioral health services, according to Marshfield Clinic.

Over the next three years, the grant will support:

• Mental health training for community members and Marshfield Clinic staff to increase awareness, knowledge and confidence in recognizing and responding to mental health concerns.
• Development of behavioral health referral pathways in partnership with Behavioral Health, helping ensure individuals can more easily connect to the services they need. The grant also supports a behavioral health navigator, strengthening our ability to connect people with appropriate resources and care.
• Community awareness and outreach efforts, including events and education opportunities through our clinics, hospitals and community partners.

Learn more about Marshfield Clinic at www.marshfieldclinic.org/.