Better Ways to Cope Conference

The 2025 Better Ways to Cope: Milwaukee County is healing, coping and becoming dependency-free.

The Department of Health and Human Services created this multi-faceted campaign to promote services, support community organizations, share resources and equip everyone with the skills to live dependency-free lives. That work has culminated in a national movement that includes the Better Ways to Cope (BW2C) Conference. This two-day in-person experience is a safe space for families and professionals to cope in community. Residents and professionals will be immersed in live demonstrations that teach them various coping strategies they can incorporate into their lives immediately. 

What will be the experience?

Who should Attend?

Health Professionals

This conference provides an immersive experience with live demonstrations that equip health professionals with new and effective techniques they can incorporate into their practice to better support their consumers in living dependency-free lives. Professionals will enjoy a collaborative environment, connecting with peers, community organizations, and experts. They'll enjoy sharing resources, best practices, and innovative approaches to prevention, treatment, and recovery.

County Residents

This conference is a safe space for families to cope, heal and connect in community. It promotes a range of local support systems, programs, and services available to them and their families. Direct, hands-on learning will empower residents to manage stress, build resilience, and develop healthier ways to deal with life's challenges, reducing the likelihood of developing dependencies.

Youth 12 Years and Older

This conference offers youth opportunities to learn valuable life skills, express themselves creatively and practice coping methods. Learning diverse coping mechanisms helps youth develop resilience against peer pressure, stress, and other challenges they may face, equipping them to make healthier choices. Participation in this conference will help youth feel more connected to community and encourage them to seek help if needed.

These immersive experiences are hosted in person on both days of the conference. These nontraditional coping spaces will immerse conference attendees in activities designed to show them how to promote harm reduction resources, experience personal healing, learn evidence-based techniques, facilitate discussions, practice restoration and achieve dependency-free lives. This conference will include coping experiences that teach skills such as:

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What's the agenda?

Review Agenda 

Contact Us

Department of Health and Human Services

Jeremy Triblett, Prevention Integration Manager | [email protected]