RACINE, Wis. — Wisconsin students are dealing with an increasing number of mental health challenges, according to a recent report by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), which oversees K-12 education in the state. 

What You Need To Know

  • Four out of five Wisconsin high school students who reported feeling sad, empty, hopeless, angry or anxious over the past year said they do not receive the help they need most of the time

  • In addition, 59% of high schoolers have experienced at least one mental health issue in the past year

  • Another 63% said they experienced depression and 40% said they considered suicide

Leaders of the department said the report highlighted an urgent need to invest more money and resources into school mental health services.

In Madison, on Tuesday afternoon, education leaders presented findings from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. State Superintendent Jill Underly said the findings are alarming. 

Four out of five Wisconsin high school students who reported feeling sad, empty, hopeless, angry or anxious over the past year said they do not receive the help they need most of the time.

In addition, 59% of high schoolers have experienced at least one mental health issue in the past year. Another 63% said they experienced depression and 40% said they considered suicide.

“This is not something we want to hear, but something that needs to be heard,” Underly said. “We as Wisconsinites need to do better, and it can start quite simply: Be a supportive adult. Listen to kids. Listen to them about their thoughts, feelings and concerns.”

As state leaders work to come up with more funding and solutions, local nonprofit organizations are trying to do what they can to help make a difference.

De’Muria Ware is the community outreach coordinator at Racine Friendship Clubhouse. According to the nonprofit, one out of every five families in Racine County are affected by mental illness.

“We deal with members from the community who have mental illness, and provide them with life skills like cooking, job assistance and resources to help them stay out of the hospital,” said Ware, as she cooked a spaghetti lunch with members of the program.

Those who utilize Racine Friendship Clubhouse learn how to do basic life skills such as cook, clean and tend to a garden. Every week, the organization offers two daily sessions in which people struggling with mental health issues can eat together, receive support and learn coping mechanisms.

“There are a lot of resources available in one setting,” said Ware, who said she wants to reach as many young adults as she can.

She said the hardest part of the job is not being able to help everyone who needs it.

Racine Friendship Clubhouse has other locations throughout the state. Find more information, here.

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