Youth Mental Health Taskforce: Coming Together to Support Young People during Mental Health Awareness Month

This May, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, a coalition of Milwaukee-based organizations is coming together with a shared mission: reducing stigma and making sure mental health support is there for young people when and where they need it.

Led by Bader Philanthropies, the Youth Mental Health Taskforce includes partners Wellpoint Care Network, REDgen, MKE Urban Stables, Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper Michigan, Rawhide Youth Services, and Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center. Together, we are working to meet youth where they are by embedding mental health support into everyday environments, like school.

“At its core, this work is about early intervention,” said Bridgett Gonzalez, Grants Director at Bader Philanthropies. “If we’re able to help youth now and give them the tools they need to cope, they can grow into adulthood equipped with resilience, support systems and pathways to achieve their goals.”

Throughout May, Bader Philanthropies is funding three innovative programs in 12 selected schools across the Milwaukee area, reaching hundreds of students and families:

• SKY Schools: Breathing Stress Buster Program – Teaching practical stress management and resilience techniques
• Pets Helping People – Using animal-assisted therapy to support emotional well-being
• Bloom Art and Integrated Therapies – Encouraging creative expression as a pathway to mental wellness

These programs are designed not just to support students, but to normalize conversations around mental health.

“It’s about showing kids that it’s okay to have feelings and even struggle with how to express them,” said Nancy Reed, Chief Clinical Officer at Wellpoint Care Network. “By embedding these practices into the school day, we’re making mental health part of everyday wellness, just like physical health.”

By bringing services directly into schools, the Taskforce is also removing common challenges such as transportation, cost and access.

“Instead of expecting families to seek out care, it’s being delivered where students already spend most of their time,” added Reed.

Even schools not participating in these programs with the Taskforce are encouraged to participate in a statewide initiative: Mental Health Awareness Day on May 4. On this day, schools are invited to dedicate just five minutes to student well-being through activities like mindfulness, meditation, gentle movement or creative expression.

“These simple five minutes sends a clear message: mental health matters,” said Gonzalez. “It tells students that they are not alone.”

Youth Mental Health Taskforce members hope to expand the program year after year, reaching more schools and more students across the state. The long-term goal of the group is to make mental health support as easy and available in schools as a visit to the nurse.

“My dream is that every school has someone there for these kids,” Gonzalez shared. “Just like physical health, mental health care should be accessible right where students are. If additional care is needed, they can be referred, but that first level of support should be immediate.”

As Wellpoint Care Network marks 175 years, this kind of work feels especially meaningful. It reflects both our history and where we’re headed, continuing to show up for young people in ways that meet the moment. It’s also part of how we’re celebrating this milestone by giving back to our community through events connected to our Five Pillars of Stability, including Diaper & Food-Pantry pop-ups, free mental health screenings and more.

If you or someone you know could benefit from mental health support, Wellpoint Care Network is here to help. With a range of services — including School-Based Mental Health— support is available today.

If your school does take part in Mental Health Awareness Day, feel free to take a picture and send to [email protected] so we can share on our social media channels!