Wellness Co-Op receives $50K in mental health funds

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) announced seven organizations are receiving $474,407 from two Veteran Mental Health grant programs that will directly subsidize mental health care for Wisconsin veterans, and one of those is in Oconto Falls.

The Wellness Co-Op in Oconto Falls received $50,000 to increase access to free substance-use oriented mental health services for veterans in their community to improve mental health outcomes. They will establish partnerships with three local veteran-based organizations to establish a referral system to provide Warrior Wellness services to veterans, recruit qualified mental health professionals to deliver the program, and provide evidence-based substance abuse counseling, group therapy, project-based groups, and equine therapy sessions that address the unique needs of each participant.

“Veterans stood up to protect our safety and security, now it’s time to stand up for them,” said WDVA Secretary-designee James Bond. “I’m so grateful to these grant recipients for providing vital services in their community. Mental health care is vital for former service members. We need to work together to make sure veterans can access all the health care they need in their civilian life, and we couldn’t do that without community partners across Wisconsin.”

These grants are part of Gov. Tony Evers’ $10 million investment in veteran services, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.