Wausau Pilot & Review

NEWS RELEASE – At the end of 2021, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an Advisory noting the urgent need to address the nation’s youth mental health crisis, which has been exacerbated by current events.

In Wisconsin, more than 15% of youth reported at least one depressive episode in 2021 according to data from Mental Health America. Likewise, schools across the state and nation are reporting a higher demand for mental health services.

On March 8, representatives from the D.C. Everest Area School District joined the Wisconsin Institute for Public Policy and Service (WIPPS), Wausau School District and Edgar School District representatives, local healthcare providers, law enforcement professionals, DCE parents and students, local government officials and allied organizations including the Hmong American Center, United Way, Marathon County Health Department and Wisconsin United Coalition of Mutual Assistance Association to launch an initiative focused on the wellness of Marathon County youth. 

“Our district has seen a marked increase in demand for mental health services from our students and we are investing more resources than ever before in these services,” D.C. Everest Superintendent Kristine Gilmore said. “But school districts do not have enough resources, nor is it their sole mission, to be the primary provider of mental health resources for children.

“The mental well being of our youth is a challenge we can only face together, as a community, therefore, we partnered with WIPPS to build a Marathon County initiative that I refer to as ‘Caring for Our Marathon County Kids,’ where professionals, families and students from our area can work together to develop a long-term plan to expand and improve the services available to our children, Gilmore said.

WIPPS has produced a project plan consisting of four phases. The March 8 kickoff meeting focused on gathering feedback concerning available resources, identifying gaps in services, and brainstorming a range of ideas concerning what families and students most need to help them manage personal wellness. Moving forward the group will inventory available community resources, and research state and national evidence-based community strategies that are deemed effective. The latter stages of the project are designed to build awareness of the issues surrounding youth mental illness and well being, and develop strategic plans and actions to address the mental well being of youth in our community