Leaders of the Wisconsin Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians were invited to join the Wisconsin Medical Society and a small group of key health care stakeholders last week in Madison to begin to address myriad issues related to mental and behavioral health.

Representatives from the Psychiatric Association and the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians were also part of the discussion. The group’s goal is to find ways for physicians to influence and improve three key areas: stigma, access and workforce.

“Through this steering committee, we hope to reduce the stigma around mental/behavioral health both within the medical community and in the public at-large; expanding the workforce available to treat and deal with mental health issues; and increasing access for mental/behavioral health treatment particularly in rural, urban, and other health shortage areas,” said Molli Rolli, MD, chair of the Wisconsin Medical Society’s Board of Directors.

The group plans to engage other stakeholders in the coming months and plans to develop a comprehensive strategy to achieve these goals.