Department of Health and Human Services
 

Providing Connections That Support Recovery

 

24-Hour Crisis Line

(414) 257-7222

Call now if you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis.

I Need Help With...

I Want to Learn More About...

Am I Having a Crisis?

Anyone can have a crisis.

Adult. Child. Man. Woman. Healthy. Out of shape. No family history of mental health concerns. Day shift. Night shift. ANYONE.

Signs of a Crisis

  • You've thought about what method you would use to harm yourself or someone else
  • You don't feel able to cope with daily problems or activities
  • Your thoughts are racing and you are talking faster than you remember
  • You hear voices others don't seem to hear
  • You feel others are planning to harm you
  • You feel constant pain and/or stomach discomfort
  • You feel unusually tired, or energetic, all of the time
  • You feel very agitated or restless

 

If you are feeling any of these things, call our crisis line right away, any day, any time.

Other Crisis Services

Individuals and family members who are facing a mental health or co-occurring crisis can speak with a mental health professional through our Crisis Line. Our specially trained staff helps connect callers with community resources or referrals, provides over-the-phone assessment and de-escalation, and assists law enforcement and other agencies in helping individuals in crisis.

Psychiatric Crisis Services/Observation Unit

Open 24/7 | 9499 W. Watertown Plank Rd. 

Personal crisis can happen at any time and without warning. Psychiatric Crisis Services (PCS) is the only psychiatric emergency room in the state, and individuals brought to PCS during an emergency may receive:

  • Crisis intervention
  • Assessment and evaluation
  • Access to medications/prescriptions if clinically indicated
  • Extended observations as clinically needed
  • Referrals and care coordination with other mental health providers

Mobile Crisis Services

We offer several methods to bring help to you. Whether it is a child or adult in need of help, calling our crisis line will make sure the right help gets to you, 24 hours-per-day, 7 days-per-week.

Crisis Stabilization Houses

Crisis Stabilization Houses are an alternative to psychiatric inpatient hospitalization that provides a less-restrictive environment to treat and support those experiencing a crisis. Call our crisis line to see if a referral to a Crisis Stabilization House is right for you.

Crisis Resource Centers

BHD partners with TLS Behavioral Health and the Milwaukee Center for Independence to offer two Crisis Resource Centers offering short-term stabilization, assessment, supportive and recovery services. Referrals are made by calling either center directly 24 hours per day, 7 days per week:

Everything the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services does is trauma-informed and person-centered.

BHD Access Clinic

BHD Access Clinic

Open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. | 9455 W. Watertown Plank Rd. | (414) 257-7665

For uninsured Milwaukee County residents who are facing a mental health or co-occurring crisis, our Access Clinic is here to help connect people to great behavioral health and co-occurring care, regardless of their ability to pay.

Access Clinic services include:

  • Mental health and substance use assessment
  • Medication evaluation
  • Crisis counseling
  • Referrals to appropriate outpatient clinics (mental health and substance use) and community programs

How To Identify if a Young Person Is Experiencing Psychosis

As youth enter their teenage years and early adulthood, changes in mood, attitude and even energy level can be expected as their minds and bodies develop.

Look for These Signs & Symptoms in Your Child/Young Adult

  • Delusions
  • Disorganized thinking or speech
  • Disruption or decline in self-care
  • Extreme uneasieness with others
  • Fixation on false beliefs
  • Hallucinations
  • Lack of emotions
  • Strong and inappropriate emotions
  • Suspiciousness
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Unusual thoughts or preceptions
  • Withdrawal

 

3 out of every 100 people

are affected by psychosis

during their lives.*

WE CAN HELP

*According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)

 

 

What To Do if You See These Signs or Symptoms

If a youth or young adult you know is showing signs of first-episode psychosis, call the CORE program at (414) 257-7607 for more information and to schedule a screening.

Once eligibility for the CORE program is determined, qualifying youth and young adults are connected with life-changing support, education and care — at no cost to participants — to help get their lives back on track.

The sooner the youth or young adult is properly screened and diagnosed with first-episode psychosis and receives treatment, the sooner they can return to a healthy, positive and more productive life.

Learn More About CORE

I Am Struggling With Addiction

For Adults

Adults needing help managing an alcohol or other drug abuse problem should contact BHD's Community Access to Recovery Services program.

Recovery is possible, and we can connect you, or your loved one, to it.

Call CARS at (414) 257-8085

For Children

Addiction knows no boundaries, including those we erect separating adults and children.  If you are a minor, or the parent/guardian of a minor, experiencing addition to alcohol or other drugs, BHD can help through its Wraparound Milwaukee program.

With a single call, we can start the process of connecting you or your child to recovery.

Call Wraparound at (414) 257-7607

Adult Treatment & Recovery Services

Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS)

If you or a loved one is living with a mental health disorder, substance abuse disorder, or both, find peace-of-mind in knowing recovery is possible.

CARS specializes in helping Milwaukee County residents like you, or your loved one, get connected to the resources needed to guide and support you on the journey to recovery.

CARS has five areas of focus that put you, or your loved one, at the center of care:

  • Prevention
  • Access
  • Treatment
  • Care Management
  • Recovery Support Services

Call CARS and take the first step on the journey to recovery.

(414) 257-8085

 

Info for CARS Providers

Access CARS

CARS offers a variety of community-based locations that you or your loved one can easily visit or call.

CARS at BHD

9455 W. Watertown Plank Rd.

(414) 257-8085

(414) 454-4242 (fax, for completed referrals)

IMPACT, Inc.

6736 W. Washington St. Suite 2225

(414) 649-4380

M&S Clinical Services

2821 N. 4th St.

(414) 263-6000

Justice Point

(414) 278-2140

Wisconsin Community Services

(414) 343-3569

How We Help

CARS's strong partnerships with trusted, local providers give you or your loved one access to treatment and recovery services that are close to home. Recovery services provide the support and education to learn how to use proven tools to take charge of your health and wellness.

Practitioners With Adult Referrals

If you are a medical or mental health practitioner with an adult patient in need of community-based recovery services, including for alcohol or other drug abuse problems, please fill out this referral form, and fax it to us at (414) 454-4242.

Download Referral Form

Refer Someone to BHD

If you are a practitioner, community service provider, or just a loved one of someone in need of behavioral health or substance abuse help, here's how to reach us:

For Adults

If you have a person aged 18 or older in need of behavioral health or substance abuse help provided by the Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division, you have two options:

  1. Call BHD's Community Access to Recovery Services (CARS) program at (414) 257-8085
  2. Fill out this referral form and fax it to (414) 454-4242

For Children

All children's services at the Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division are centered on our Wraparound Milwaukee program. Referrals to Wraparound Milwaukee are simple, and only have a single point of contact.  

All you have to do is call (414) 257-7607 and we can get the process started.

BHD News

DHHS Congratulates BHD Social Worker Martin Erl for Milwaukee Marathon Win [video]

by: Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services

On April 6, 2019, BHD Social Worker Martin Erl took first place in the 4th annual Milwaukee Marathon. Hear how Martin uses his marathon training to inform how he helps kids at Wraparound Milwaukee.

See the Video on YouTube

4/10

Youth Social Worker With Wraparound Milwaukee Hopes His Marathon Win Inspires Kids

BHD social worker Martin Erl crosses Milwaukee Marathon finish line

by: Staff - CBS58 News

Thousands of people from across the country took part in the Milwaukee Marathon on Saturday. In the full marathon, the men's winner was Martin Erl of Milwaukee. He's a youth social worker and says winning was incredible, but he also wants the win to inspire the kids he helps...

Read Full Article

4/9

What Paid Foster Parents Can Teach Us About Financial Support for Parents

Parent and child holding hands

by: Patrick A. Coleman - Fatherly.com

Parenting is a 24/7 job. But it is rarely treated as such and almost never paid. Still, there is a major exception to that rule: Professional foster parents receive an annual salary, intensive support, and regular training to help raise children in dire need of a stable home...

Read Full Article

4/7

Winners: A Social Worker, an Ultra-Marathoner and the Milwaukee Marathon Itself

BHD social worker Martin Erl crosses Milwaukee Marathon finish line

by: Lori Nickel - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A Milwaukee youth social worker who wants to show kids that something great can be accomplished – with work and determination – was the first man to cross the finish line tape of Milwaukee Marathon...

Read Full Article

4/6

These Crisis Centers Can Save Lives. Why Does Milwaukee Only Have Two?

Two people talk in a common room of a Milwaukee Crisis Resource Center

by: Rory Linnane - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Mary Neubauer washed all the windows on the ground floor of a former convent on the south side of Milwaukee. She volunteered to paint the trim, too...

Read Full Article

3/29

Foster Parents Have Become Professionals in Some States

Photo of foster mother holding young boy

by: Teresa Wiltz - Pew Stateline News

Foster parents, tasked with the 24-7 care of often-traumatized children, show up for parent-teacher meetings, ferry their charges to doctor’s appointments, supervise homework and serve up cuddles. Many work closely with struggling biological parents in hopes of an eventual reunion...

Read Full Article

2/20

'Shine A Light on Addiction Week' Brings Awareness to Substance Abuse in Milwaukee

Drug fact quiz

by: Real Milwaukee - Fox6 News

Nzinga Khalid from Milwaukee County Health & Human Services stopped by the Real Milwaukee studios on Monday, Jan. 21 to discuss substance abuse awareness and prevention in Milwaukee County. "Shine A Light on Addiction Week" is Jan. 22 through Jan. 27, and Khalid was sporting red during her appearance to highlight HHS's "Light and Unite Red" campaign...

Read Full Article

1/21

Your Kids May Be Hiding Drug Paraphernalia in Plain Sight

Screen shot of WISN morning show

by: Melinda Davenport - WISN 12 News

As part of National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week, the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division has kicked off a campaign called "Light and Unite Red." One aspect of the campaign helps parents identify drug use warning signs in their kids' bedrooms...

Read Full Article

1/21

Milwaukee County's CORE Program Seeks to Empower Youth

Portrait of Dr. Steven Dykstra

by: Jack Kelly - Wisconsin Health News

Milwaukee County is working to redesign its mental healthcare system and provide more community supports to those who need help...

Read Full Article

1/4

New Report Outlines Redesigned Milwaukee County Psychiatric Crisis Services

Charles W. Landis Mental Health Complex

by: Lauren Anderson - BizTimes

As the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division continues to move services off its aging, over-sized Wauwatosa campus and into community-based settings, a new report released Thursday outlines plans for a redesign of the county’s psychiatric crisis service system...

Read Full Article

12/13

Want More? Click Here to Visit the DHHS News Archives

DHHS logo

Archives contain material back to September 2018

12/13

What's Going On at BHD?

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Additional Services and Information

Inpatient Services

Inpatient Services

 

The Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division Acute Inpatient Hospital provides services to mentally ill adults, children and adolescents who need the support of a hospital environment. We provide psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social and rehabilitation services.

Nursing Careers at BHD

Nursing Careers at BHD

 

Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division is always looking for compassionate nurses (and other clinicians) who have what it takes!

Milwaukee County Mental Health Board

Mental Health Board

 

The Milwaukee County Mental Health Board sets policy and budget for the Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division.

 

Submit your ideas for the 2020 Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division by clicking the button below!

The 2020 Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division Budget

Here's what's happening, and how you can participate.

What's Happening for the 2020 BHD Budget?

March 21, 2019

Mental Health Board

Public Comment meeting at Washington Park Senior Center, starting at 4:30 p.m.
March 28, 2019

MHB Finance Committee

Discuss 2020 Budget Assumptions at Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex, 9455 W Watertown Plank Rd., Room 1045, starting at 1:30 p.m.
April 25, 2019

Mental Health Board

BHD Chief Financial Officer & MHB Finance Committee Chair to present preliminary budget assumptions.  MHB to discuss at Zoofar Conference Center, starting at 8 a.m.
June 6, 2019

MHB Finance Committee

The MHB Finance Committee will take Public Comment on the 2020 budget at their meeting starting at 4:30 p.m. at a location to be announced.
June 14, 2019

Behavioral Health Division website

The narrative for the 2020 BHD Budget will be posted on this page.

 

 

June 20, 2019

Mental Health Board

The Mental Health Board membership will present their 2020 budget recommendations to the Chair of the MHB Finance Committee at their meeting at the Zoofari Conference Center, starting at 9 a.m.
June 27, 2019

MHB Finance Committee

The Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services will present the requested 2020 BHD Budget.  Public Comment will be taken at this meeting, followed by Committee votes on recommendations and budget, at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex, 9455 W Watertown Plank Rd., Room 1045.
July 11, 2019

Mental Health Board

The Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services will present the final request for the 2020 BHD Budget.  The Chair of the MHB Finance Committee will make recommendations as well.  The MHB will make a final vote to approve the 2020 BHD Budget.
July 15, 2019 Formal Budget Submission

 

Participate in the 2020 BHD Budget!

Please attend any or all of our 2020 BHD Budget Public Comment sessions.  Or, if you can't make it, please click the button below and submit your comments online.

All comments submitted online will be presented to the membership of the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board.

Tell us what is important to you!

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  2019 Milwaukee County DHHS Behavioral Health Division Hospital Fees
Service Description  Charge 
Adult Inpatient Per Diem  $1,875
Child Inpatient Per Diem  $1,946
Interactive Complexity  $165
Psychiatric Diagnostic Interview  $231
Psychiatric Diagnostic Interview w/medical service  $327
Inpatient Psychotherapy - 30 min  $115
Inpatient Psychotherapy - 45 min  $156
Family Psychotherapy (without patient)  $157
Family Psychotherapy (with patient)  $171
Group Psychotherapy  $67
Psychiatric Interpretation (with patient)  $145
Psychological Testing  $211
Psychological Testing by Technician  $211
Psychological Testing by Computer  $136
Assessment of Aphasia  $330
Developmental Test Limited  $39
Developmental Test Extended  $349
Neurobehavioral Status Exam  $259
Neuropsychological Status Exam  $286
Neuropsychological Testing  $249
Neuropsychological Testing by Computer  $197
Initial Hospital Care (level 1)  $246
Initial Hospital Care (level 2)  $313
Initial Hospital Care (level 3)  $459
Subsequent Hospital Care (level 1)  $100
Subsequent Hospital Care (level 2)  $168
Subsequent Hospital Care (level 3)  $249
Hospital Discharge Services 0-30 min  $178
Hospital Discharge Services 30+ min  $267
Prolonged Service, First Hour  $223
Prolonged Service, Each Add'l 30 Min  $220
Smoking and Tobacco Cessation 3+ min  $32
Smoking and Tobacco Cessation 10+ min  $58

Contact DHHS Behavioral Health Division

Visit Us

Talk to Us

General Information

(414) 257-6995

Medical Records/Release

(414) 257-6984

(414) 257-8167 (fax)

Human Resources

(414) 257-7434

Administration

(414) 257-5202

Mike Lappen, MS, LPC

Behavioral Health Division Administrator

Contact for Media Inquiries

 

MILWAUKEE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

1220 W. Vliet St.

Suite 301

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53205

Access DHHS 

How We Help

Our Vision

Together, creating healthy communities.

Our Mission

Empowering safe, healthy, meaningful lives.

Our Values

Partnership, Respect, Integrity, 

Diversity, Excellence

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