A New Mental Health Emergency Center

Although the MHEC will be licensed as a psychiatric hospital, its primary purpose is to assess, stabilize then discharge or transfer patients after a few hours, at most up to 24-hours.

The MHEC will treat and evaluate anyone in need of emergency mental health services, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status. Children as young as four-years, adolescents and adults of any age experiencing a mental health crisis will be treated at the MHEC. A separate entrance and treatment area will be provided for children. Adults voluntarily seeking treatment will enter through the main doors, while those accompanied by law enforcement will access treatment through a third entrance. Those who are not experiencing an emergency mental health crisis are encouraged to seek care at BHD’s community health centers, including Access Clinic East, Access Clinic South, Crisis Resource Centers, and through the BHD Crisis Line.

Because it is an emergency center and patients are assessed within one day, very few beds are required. The MHEC will have four adult inpatient hospital beds for patients who are expected to have brief stays. In addition, there will be two observation beds. No beds will be specified for children. Following observation and diagnosis, care plans will ensure that community-based follow-up will be provided through inpatient and/or outpatient programs.

Following assessment at the MHEC, patients will be connected to ongoing inpatient, residential, community-based, peer-support or outpatient options. Due to the expected complexity of patients seen at the MHEC, patients requiring inpatient hospitalization will in most cases be transferred to a local psychiatric hospital such as: Granite Hills, Advocate Aurora, Rogers Memorial, or one of the other health system partner facilities.

The goal is to have the MHEC operational by the spring of 2022. BHD will continue to provide Psychiatric Crisis Services (PCS) until the MHEC is fully operational.

The location will be at 1227 W. Walnut in the city of Milwaukee, between 12th and 13th Street and north of Walnut on property currently owned by Milwaukee County. This location will be in close proximity to those who may need emergency mental health services.

The MHEC’s location is served by public transportation and adjacent to freeway entrances, ensuring easy off and on access. It is positioned to provide ready access for those in need of care and will minimize the time required for countywide law-enforcement personnel visits to the MHEC. The MHEC will readily accept law-enforcement referrals, increasing officer confidence that making a drive to the MHEC is preferable to other options, (i.e., jail, hospital, relocation, etc.) MHEC staff will ensure smooth transitions so that officers can quickly return to their next assignment.

Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division (BHD) along with four Milwaukee Health Systems – Advocate Aurora Health, Ascension Wisconsin, Children’s Wisconsin and Froedtert Health created the joint venture to develop the mental health emergency center.

A board of eight directors will govern the collaborative JV effort, with four County directors, and four directors representing the health systems. Advocate Aurora Health will serve as the manager of the MHEC, responsible for employing physicians and staff and for the day-to-day operations under the direction of the JV’s Board of Directors. As the largest provider of behavioral and mental health services in the State, Advocate Aurora Health will bring significant clinical and patient service expertise to the delivery of care.

MHEC staffing will be led through a medical model, with psychiatrists serving as lead providers. In addition, there will be nurse practitioners, registered nurses, psychiatric techs, social workers and peer support specialists who use their unique combination of lived experience and training to help those in treatment reach their recovery goals. A Transfer Coordinator with clinical training (RN) will be onsite 24/7 to work with the physicians to facilitate transfers into and out of the facility. MHEC security personnel will be trained in therapeutic measures, with an emphasis on de-escalation tactics, and will be integrated into the care model.

Since 2010, the community has been asked for input regarding the redesign of psychiatric services in Milwaukee County and has provided feedback through surveys and community conversations. Multiple research efforts have been undertaken by the County, the health systems, community partners, mental health advocates and consultants. Community input was collected and has greatly contributed to the development of many facets that make up the improved crisis continuum of mental health services, including the MHEC.

If you have additional feedback to share, please reach out to us using the contact form below.

The MHEC will serve as an “anchor institution” providing approximately 70 full-time employment opportunities, with a hiring preference for local applicants. All employees currently working for Milwaukee County’s Behavioral Health Department’s PCS are strongly encouraged to apply for appropriate positions in MHEC.

The MHEC’s presence will increase the level of lighting and security in the community, provide jobs, and beautify and revitalize the neighborhood. The Joint Venture shares the community’s goals of greater public safety and making the neighborhood around the MHEC more desirable for all.

The JV has engaged the Milwaukee office of Eppstein Uhen Architects, CG Schmidt Construction, known for its diversity emphasis in hiring, and the locally and minority-owned general contractor, JCP Construction.