Better Ways To Cope Resources
24-Hour Crisis Line
Call (414) 257-7222 text to 988, or chat via www.988LIFELINE.ORG now if you believe you or a loved one is experiencing a crisis.
Find a whole community of health and wellness resources.
Better Ways to Cope (BWTC) is a community-centered harm reduction, prevention, treatment and recovery campaign powered by the Department of Health and Human Services. This multi-faceted movement uses media platforms to promote services, regrants funds to community organizations, shares resources with community members and equips everyone with the skills to cope in a better way.
Milwaukee County Crisis Line
If you or someone you know is experiencing a behavioral health crisis line.
Emergency Services - 24/7
If you, a family member, or a friend is experiencing a mental health emergency, go to the Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC) located at 1525 N. 12th Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53205. A mental health emergency refers to a situation in which you or your friend/family member poses an immediate risk to themselves or others. Examples of mental health emergencies may include:
-
Thoughts of suicide, self-harm or harming others
-
Violent, erratic or aggressive behavior
-
Significant worsening of mental health symptoms
*Like any medical emergency, sometimes distance matters and it may be best to go to the nearest emergency department for a quick clinical assessment or call 911.
Adult Mental Health Support
Walk-In Services
Before visiting, we strongly recommend calling to confirm the operating hours. Offers assessments, counseling, medication evaluation, peer support, referrals, and connections to other services for uninsured and underinsured Milwaukee County residents 18 years old and older.
Access Clinic South
Located within Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers (National Ave.)
1635 W. National Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204
Access Clinic East
Located within Outreach Community Health Centers
210 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Access Clinic North
Located within Milwaukee Health Services, Inc.
8200 W. Silver Spring Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53218
Adult Substance Use Support
Access Points
Offers assessments, counseling, peer support, and substance use treatment referrals.
Crisis Resource Centers
Offers assessment and stabilization for mental health or substance use crisis.
Children & Adolescents (Ages 5-18) – Mental Health Support
Children’s Wisconsin Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic (Urgent Care)
8915 W. Connell Court, Milwaukee, WI, 53266
Open daily 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Milwaukee County Mental Health Clinic
1919 W. North Avenue, Suite 200, Milwaukee, WI 53205
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Community Organizations
Running Rebels
Running Rebels Community Organization guides Milwaukee youth into adulthood through mentoring, positive programming, and community connection.
Neu-Life Community Development
Neu-Life takes an innovative approach to growing and retaining talent by recruiting our own teen program participants to become the next generation of Neu-Life staff. We provide youth with the resources, support and guidance they need to succeed in life.
True Skool
We engage, empower & educate youth, families and communities through transformative arts and Hip Hop Culture. TRUE Skool continues to empower youth and young adults through our unique pipeline services.
Mack Theatre Group
We actively encourage the ethos of "acting instead of acting out." Through our Rehabilitative Theater initiative, we uplift a diverse range of youth affected by Wisconsin's criminal legal system, equipping them with life skills and a sense of belonging.
Changing Hands Mentoring Foundation
We tackle critical topics and promote personal growth in a structured, interactive setting. We connect youth with dedicated mentors who understand the unique challenges they face.
Community Advocates Public Policy Institute
Community Advocates offers more than 40 programs, providing services and assistance that inspire Milwaukee’s neediest individuals and families to envision a future with hope. We provide individuals and families with advocacy and services to meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity.
Fresh Start Learning
We support Those who are coping with sexual assault, human trafficking or domestic violence with substance use. We offer support groups, mentorship, peer specialists and career building. People without homes can get weekend shelters via referral services via 211.
Samad's House
Creating an environment that provides individuals who have a history of substance abuse with the necessary tools to manage sobriety, restore families and comfortably re-acclimate into society.
Black Space HQ
We're normalizing therapy for Black and Brown people. They’re for us by us. Our sessions are facilitated by Black and Brown therapists. You don’t have to explain who you are.
Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)
We work with individuals and families to address unmet needs and reduce involvement with public systems by providing person-centered services and programs in every area of their lives.