Even with winter giving way to more spring-like weather, it can be difficult to maintain mental health.
However, Milwaukee has several resources to support healing, wellness and community connection. One is Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee, or SWIM.
Located on the north side of Concordia 27 at 831 N. 27th St., SWIM is a trauma-informed resource center that offers free weekly yoga, cardio kickboxing and strength and conditioning classes.
Residents can book one-on-one healing services, such as massages and facials, attend NAMI of Southeast Wisconsin’s support groups or participate in activities like Vibe Check, held on the last Tuesday of the month.
“Anybody from the community can talk about what’s going well, what’s living rent free in their head,” said Lexi Sandoval, SWIM’s program coordinator.
Participating in these resources can help people socialize and feel less isolated, Sandoval said.
For more information on how to boost mental health and talk about it, check out tips from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Here are additional resources to help manage your mental and physical well-being.
Wellness activity resources:
Core El Centro, 130 W. Bruce St., third floor, offers acupuncture, energy work and spiritual accompaniment services on a sliding scale. Yoga, Zumba and other wellness classes are available through membership or passes. This business serves Spanish speakers. More information here.
Milwaukee Recreation runs free community wellness activities for adults at parks and community centers, along with low-cost fitness classes. More information here.
Milwaukee Turners hosts free wellness programs in the community, including at Clarke Square Park, 2330 W. Vieau Place, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 1531 W. Vliet St., among its other resources. More information here.
Allah Mode,1942 N. Martin Luther King Drive, is offering free community sound healing from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Registration is recommended. It also provides a variety of individual healing services. More information here.
Sherman Phoenix Marketplace, 3536 W. Fond du Lac Ave., regularly offers community wellness programs, such as a current yoga class. More information here.
Mental health resources
Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Services offers resources for all ages, including a 24-hour crisis line at 414-257-7222. It can connect uninsured and insured adults to Access Clinic or Crisis Resource Center locations and youths to Wraparound Milwaukee. More information here.
Call IMPACT 211 at 211 to learn more about local mental health and other resources and get referrals.
Healthy MKE has a mental health and substance use care resource guide, which is available in five languages.
NAMI of Southeast Wisconsin has a number of virtual and in-person mental health support and education resources, such as free peer-to-peer support groups and classes for family and friends. More information here.
UMOS is currently accepting applications for a free therapy and mental health support program for residents that meet income eligibility requirements. The programs are part of a broader range of support services, including housing and food assistance. More information here.
Our Space Inc., 1527 W. National Ave., has a Drop-In Center for individuals dealing with mental illness or substance use challenges. It also offers other peer support programs. More information here.
Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center, 732 S. 21st St., has a free youth and young adult mental health therapy program for anyone ages 11 to 24. To enroll in treatment, contact the center’s crisis line at 414-647-8200. More information here.
Pathfinders is an organization that supports homeless and runaway children, and also offers clinical support services. More information here.
More behavioral health options
Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers behavioral health services, including outpatient therapy and resources with a focus on Native and traditional methods of healing. More information here.
Muslim Community & Health Center has various behavioral health services and the Sakina Center for seniors. More information here.
Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers, based on Milwaukee’s South Side, provides mental health care services for children and adults. More information here.
Vivent Health’s goal is to end HIV/AIDS by providing judgment-free health care and social services. Behavioral health services are included in its wraparound care. More information here.
Emergency/crisis resources:
Mental Health Emergency Center, 1525 N. 12th St., is open 24/7 and provides emergency assessment and treatment to people of all ages experiencing a mental health emergency. It can be reached at 414-966-3030. More information here.
La Causa Crisis Nursery & Respite Center, 522 W. Walker St., is a free resource for families to help alleviate stress – children ages 12 and under can stay at its shelter for up to three days at a time. Call 414-902-1620 to register and reserve spots for children. More information here.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be accessed by calling or texting 988.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be found here.
Here are activities to help connect Milwaukee seniors.
Meredith Melland is the neighborhoods reporter for the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and a corps member of Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. Report for America plays no role in editorial decisions in the NNS newsroom.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
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