WISCONSIN UNITED
for MENTAL HEALTH

A growing body of research shows a strong link between mental health conditions and chronic physical diseases, functional impairment, and overall quality of life. If left unaddressed or unrecognized co-occurring mental health and physical health disorders may affect a person’s ability to adequately meet the demands of daily living.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is leading efforts to integrate mental and physical health care, and is encouraging staff and its partners to promote health integration and wellness. A Joint Statement has been created between the Division of Public Health and the Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and endorsed by the DHS and many partners. With this endorsement the DHS has worked to move forward an initiative entitled, “The Health Integration.” Information about the Initiative and the Joint Statement can be found at: http//:dhs.wisconsin.gov/mentalhealth/jointstatement/index.htm

Wisconsin United for Mental Health supports the benefits of integrated care and the promotion of wellness and screening in preventing or decreasing health conditions and chronic diseases from developing. Targeted audiences include businesses, employees, and health providers.

Prevention, early detection, treatment, recovery, and wellness are important to everyone’s physical and mental health - most importantly their overall health.

Mental health is a foundation for well-being and living a fulfilling life for an individual and community. Like “physical wellness” mental wellness is a proactive process where people need to be aware that daily lifestyle choices affect them physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually.

Additional Resources:

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services Report: Linking Mental and Physical Health: Results from the Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey  (PDF, 1,151 KB) (April 2009)
• When Physical and Mental Illnesses Co-occur (WUMH)