According to the Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Approximately 7.3 million nonmetropolitan adults reported having any mental illness (AMI) in 2019, accounting for 21.2% of nonmetropolitan adults. In addition, nearly 1.6 million, or 4.8%, of adults in nonmetropolitan areas reported having serious thoughts of suicide during the year.

While the prevalence of mental illness is similar between rural and urban residents, the services available are very different. Mental healthcare needs are not met in many rural communities across the country because adequate services are not present. Providing mental health services can be challenging in rural areas. The following factors are particular challenges to the provision of mental health services in rural communities:

• Accessibility: Rural residents often travel long distances to receive services, are less likely to be insured for mental health services, and are less likely to recognize an illness.

• Availability: Chronic shortages of mental health professionals exist and mental health providers are more likely to practice in urban centers.

• Acceptability: The stigma of needing or receiving mental healthcare and fewer choices of trained professionals who work in rural areas create barriers to care.

(Rural Health Information Hub. (2021, January 18). Rural Mental Health. Retrieved January 18th, 2021. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/mental-health )
 
By exploring new ways to deliver affordable mental and behavioral health care services for our children, such as integrating services into our schools, we can improve mental health outcomes by addressing accessibility, availability, and acceptability for our student age populations within the Lakeland Area Consortium School Districts. The purpose of this webpage is to assist our community and its members interested in accessing mental health resources available in our area.

After the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, the “Now Is The Time Project” began nationally and part of that was the Advancing Wellness and Resilience Education (AWARE) grant program. This grant program expands the capacity to:

• Increase awareness of mental health issues among school-age youth

• Train school personnel and other adults who interact with school-age youth so they can detect and respond to mental health issues

• Connect students, staff, and families who may experience mental health concerns with appropriate services in school and community settings.

• Expanding the collaboration efforts between school staff and mental health providers while promoting consistent utilization of effective approaches and increasing positive outcomes in the community and schools for Lakeland Area students

The Lakeland Consortium, found to be low-access status for mental health services, was awarded the Project AWARE Grant through Wisconsin Department of Instruction through the Federal Government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Project AWARE and the core team of the 5 districts within the consortium agreed to utilize grant funds for the creation of this Mental Health Connections webpage. 

Project AWARE Core Team

Project AWARE Mental Health Coordinator 

Adam Nowak

AVW

• Jocelyn Hardy(Superintendent)

• Laurie Smith (SPED/Pupil Services Director)

Lac du Flambeau EL/MS

• Trish Teichmiller(SPED/Pupil Services Director)

• Jennifer Schill(Social Worker)

• Jeri Talbot(School Psychologist)

Lakeland Star Academy

• Amy Koglin(Behavior Analyst)

Lakeland Union HS

• Robert Smudde(Superintendent)

• Amy Koglin(Behavior Analyst)

• Kim Olson(School Counselor)

Minocqua J1 EL/MS

• Dayle Vanderleest(SPED/Pupil Services Director)

North Lakeland EL/MS

• Brent Jelinski(Superintendent)

• Nikki Hagen(Pupil Services Director)