Media, News + Announcements

Writing a news story on mental health, substance use disorders, or both?

Get in touch with our Media Contact, Rebecca Eberhardt, at (608) 280-2420 or email communications@journeymhc.org

We want everyone to know about what Journey Mental Health Center has been doing for our community. See our recent news coverage along with important company announcements.

Journey Mental Health Center to Celebrate 75 Years With Community Wellness Event

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Cares Team on the Front Lines of Madison’s Mental Health Response

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Giant catfish rises from the ground outside Madison's Yahara House

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Madison crisis-response program seeing 'smooth rollout,' with 37 calls in 5-plus weeks

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New co-responder programs for mental health crises offer different approaches—including whether they send police to the scene

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City of Madison unveils program that will send specialists to non-violent mental health calls instead of police

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HISTORY at a glance

Key milestones through the ages

Learn more about Journey Mental Health Center.

1940s

First Private Non-Profit Child Guidance Center

One of the first private non-profit child guidance centers in the state of Wisconsin to seek and receive public funding, thus establishing a model for future collaborations between the private/public sector.

1950 - 1960s

Community Education

The organization played a significant role in community education/prevention, including radio and televised educational programs.

1970s

Community-Based Mental Health

Played a key role in developing Dane County’s comprehensive community-based mental health services for adults with serious persistent mental illnesses, including a 24-hour mobile crisis intervention service, after a panel of three federal judges declared Wisconsin’s commitment laws to be unconstitutional.

Awarded a Law Enforcement Assistance Act Grant to develop an innovative drug treatment program, combing the efforts of law enforcement and counseling staff. In addition, merger of alcohol and drug services gives agency the first combined substance abuse treatment program in Wisconsin.

1980s

Model Community Support Program

National Institute of Mental Health identifies Dane County service system as a “model community support program” and designates the Mental Health Center as the National CSP Resource Center for the United States based on their role/expertise in the service system.

1990s – 2000s

Awarded Grants

$2.5 million four-year grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation allows the agency’s youth/family services to create a nationally recognized, and duplicated wrap around system of care for youth with serious emotional disabilities – a system that promotes the natural resources and strengths of families.

First in the state to employ a Fountain House Model for day treatment services. It is recognized by the Wisconsin State Legislature as one of the most successful psychiatric rehabilitation programs, and is certified by the International Center for Clubhouse Development.

Awarded a $1.6 million, four-year federal grant to improve treatment services for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, thus joining a new coalition of treatment centers across the country dedicated to addressing the profound, destructive, and widespread impact of trauma on the lives of youth

2000s

Full-Service Pharmacy

Opened a full-service pharmacy in partnership with Genoa Healthcare, a national pharmaceutical provider.

Began PROPs short for Promoting Recovery from the Onset of Psychosis program.

Opened Columbia County - Community Support Program in Portage, WI

2020s

Madison CARES begins

New emergency response team called Madison Community Alternative Response Emergency Services or Madison CARES begins. It is specially designed for city of Madison residents undergoing a behavioral health crisis. It pairs a community paramedic and a Journey Mental Health Crisis worker.

Quick facts and figures 
• First in Wisconsin to provide 24/7 professional mobile crisis intervention services and to combine alcohol and other substance abuse services in the same program.

• We have been acknowledged as a national model for wrap around child/family services, elderly outreach services and jail diversion services for the mentally ill.

• An official training site for the University of Wisconsin (Psychiatry, Social Work, Nursing, Psychology, Psychological Rehabilitation and Pharmacy) and Edgewood College (Family Counseling and Nursing).

Accreditations and certificates
• Accreditations: CARF International; Clubhouse International

• Certified by the State of Wisconsin, Department of Health Services; Division of Quality Assurance

Media Relations Privacy Policy:

One of our top priorities is to protect consumer privacy and individually identifiable health information. We follow the privacy requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 and existing Wisconsin law.

Consumers, or individuals receiving services from Journey Mental Health Center, must give specific authorization for the disclosure of their protected health information.

Journey’s media relations policy ensures federal patient privacy standards are upheld for all of our consumers. A staff member must accompany all reporters and photographers while on Journey Mental Health Center property.  Reporters, videographers, still photographers and other media interested in coming to Journey Mental Health Center must first contact Journey's Information Management Specialist.