Better Ways to Cope
Building Communities. Touching Lives. Healing Together.
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.
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Better Ways to Cope is a movement by the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services that partners with local agencies to provide everyone with the tools to navigate life’s toughest moments. By fostering personal resilience and healthier emotional habits, we empower our community to manage stress, overcome life challenges, and reduce reliance on substances. Our mission is to promote lasting well-being and healthier lifestyles, ensuring that every resident has the support they need to thrive.
Join the Better Ways to Cope Movement!
We need you to join the BWTC Movement to help launch local initiatives that make it easier for everyone in your communities to navigate life’s toughest moments. The multi-faceted approach of BWTC ensures that all aspects of substance misuse, from prevention to recovery, are addressed, providing a comprehensive approach to healing. Together, we can build a future where everyone has access to the tools they need to cope in a healthy way.
We are building a more resilient Milwaukee by helping residents manage stress, overcome life challenges, and reduce reliance on substances. Whether you are an individual, a community leader, or an institution, you play a vital role in our mission. Find your entry point below and join us in fostering a healthier, more connected county.
We use social and mass media platforms to promote services, engage the community, and educate residents across Milwaukee County. Connect with us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel playlist.
Residential Engagement: Residents seeking professional substance use, mental health and coping services located in their communities. Residents receive the tools they need to cope in a healthy way. Take control of your well-being by connecting with local support services and discovering personalized tools to navigate life's challenges with strength and confidence.
Organizational Leadership: Health professionals, community leaders and substance use experts apply for BWTC funding to facilitate prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery initiatives help residents manage stress, overcome life challenges, and reduce reliance on substances.Partner with us to secure funding and resources that empower your team to lead impactful prevention, harm reduction, and recovery initiatives in our community.
Institutional Leadership: Government agencies, universities, school districts, and public health institutions partner with Milwaukee DHHS to adopt the BWTC Movement and implement customized strategies for their communities. Join our network of schools, universities, and agencies to integrate the Better Ways to Cope framework and build a customized, lasting foundation for wellness in your organization.
Get A List of Resources
We collect health and wellness resources to share with community members and organizations. Each resource has a proven track record of providing quality services. Check out our resource page.
"There are lists, directories and resources available. Once an individual knows there are options, direct connections, phone numbers, people and places they can reference, that's when things start to happen, and people can help people." -Fidel Verdin, True Skool Co-Executive Director-
Find Care in Your Community
Whether it's for yourself, a family member, or a friend, there are different ways to find care. Just remember, some places may have specific requirements or waiting times. You may need to check out a few options to find the best one for your needs.
"When I experience recovery, I really put everything into it. It was a newfound life that I had been searching for my entire life." -Startina, Wisconsin Community Services-
Connect to Youth Health Services
We connect children, young adults, and their families with support that helps them thrive, actively participate in their community and inclusively experience life. Milwaukee county has an ecosystem of services that includes disability services, family and treatment courts, youth justice, health, mental health, child welfare, education, and other community organizations.
"If we only help the youth, we're not dealing with the problem… If the youth are getting the proper healing and the home is a mess, the youth will go backwards. It's like a wrap-around effect for the family - if we help the youth, we help the family, and we help the community." -Kristina and Latiece, Changing Hands-
Start Your Recovery Jounrney
CARS provides Recovery Support Coordination services to various target populations, including pregnant women managing substance use disorders, families with minor children, adults with opioid use disorders and/or intravenous drug use (IV).
"When you're going through stress and life is hitting you, you have a healthier way of processing what is happening in real time rather than ways that are self-destructive... You lose mothers, which impacts children. You lose siblings, which impacts the whole family. The journey of one addict impacts the whole village." -Aziz, Inpower-
Learn More About This Campaign
Email Jeremy Triblett at [email protected].
