In the U.S., one in five adults and one in six children experience mental illness each year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Aspirus Health is striving to educate everyone about how to receive treatment for mental health conditions.
 
Each year, local health needs assessments show mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) to be the greatest need in our area. In response, Aspirus partnered with the Legacy Foundation of Central Wisconsin to help address this need by establishing the Aspirus Riverview Behavioral Health Clinic in Wisconsin Rapids.
 
Since its opening in 2018, the clinic has grown to include multiple providers and community partners. Aspirus Riverview Behavioral Health Clinic now serves patients of all ages at its clinic in Wisconsin Rapids, an area high school, and the Wood County jail.
 
The clinic’s team includes psychiatrists, physician assistants, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, child therapists, adult therapists, and support staff. In addition, two adult therapists work at the Wood County jail, assisting with inmates’ mental health needs. We continue to see the benefits of this service, as the number of suicidal inmates has been decreasing.
 
In 2022, one of the psychiatrists launched a Suboxone program for opioid addictions within the Wisconsin Rapids clinic. Suboxone is used to stabilize someone who is in opioid withdrawal and for maintenance treatment to promote recovery from opioid use.
 
“The first step toward change is recognizing something could be better,” said Nicki Williams, Aspirus system director of behavioral health. “It is wonderful to see the community understanding the needs and raising their concerns. We are grateful to be part of the positive changes our community is seeking.”