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Mental Health Services: Waiting for Services
(#3 of 5 in a Series)
Reviewed March 2026
In many parts of Wisconsin, there are not enough mental health providers to serve every child who could benefit from their services. Families may experience delays before their child can be evaluated or seen for therapy by a mental health or behavioral health provider. Delays in accessing mental health services can add to parent concerns or worries, but there are some things families can do to be proactive.
What to do in a Crisis
There may be times when you just can’t wait. A place to start is to call or text 988, the National Crisis and Suicide Hotline for immediate support. If a child is in danger of injuring themselves or others, families may decide to call 911. It’s important to clearly explain your situation and that your child is experiencing a mental health crisis. Many communities have Crisis Intervention Trained (CIT) police officers who will respond to your call. CIT officers receive specialized training focused on de-escalation, crisis response, and connecting individuals to appropriate services.
- Call your child’s primary care provider or their after-hours telephone line. Let them know if your child needs immediate support.
- Contact your county crisis line and response team at wisconsin.gov/crisis/respond.htm.
- Go to If in Crisis – NAMI Wisconsin (namiwisconsin.org/crisis-info/)
Tip for Families
Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health created the Mental Health Crisis Card to tell people who are with anyone experiencing a mental health crisis what to do immediately, or in the first five minutes, how to de-escalate a critical situation. The card is completed by the person carrying it and notes personal calming strategies that work best and what might hurt in crisis situations. See the Office of Children’s Mental Health for details, OCMH Mental Health Crisis Card.
What Families Can Do While Waiting for Services
While waiting for formal services can be frustrating, parents and family members can still be actively involved in finding community programs and informal services.
Call Again: If you are waiting for an appointment, ask if you can be put on a cancellation list. Call back regularly to see where your child is on the waitlist. If you are waiting for private therapy, ask about other options like group therapy, support groups and peer support programs. You can also ask about resources for parents like podcasts, articles, or books.
Be Willing to Travel: Consider looking for providers and services in neighboring communities. While traveling to see your child’s mental health provider is not ideal, it may be the best way to find a provider who can see your child in a timely way. Also, utilizing the transportation benefit on your ForwardHealth/Medicaid card may be possible to either have a ride provided or receive mileage reimbursement for driving yourself. Learn more about transportation options on Family Voices Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) transportation fact sheet.
Ask about telehealth/virtual appointments: Your child may be able to get in more quickly or be seen by a mental health provider if they see a provider virtually. Before the appointment, find out if your insurance will cover the cost of telehealth/telemedicine visits. Note: Wisconsin Medicaid does cover treatment using approved telehealth, WI Medicaid Telehealth Policy.
Tip For Families
You are your child’s best advocate. Don’t hesitate to speak up and be assertive.
School-Based Services: Talk to your child’s school social worker or counselor about your child’s needs. They may be able to offer school-based, mental health services or other district-level support staff who can work with your child and their teacher during the day. Once you establish a relationship with a community mental health provider, make sure school staff and those providers can communicate to share ideas and treatment options, by signing a release of information form on both ends.
- If you need help understanding or requesting school-based services, contact WI FACETS, wifacets.org or (877) 374-0511 provides individual assistance, workshops, and resources for families related to their child’s education.
Connect with Other Families: Parents can share their experiences and offer support to others as they learn about resources, providers, and programs that can be helpful. Contact NAMI Wisconsin to learn about online or local support groups or other ways for family connections. Your child’s school or faith community may also be an excellent way to connect with others.
Connect with Mental Health Organizations
These organizations can assist and connect you with resources, local groups and information
NAMI Wisconsin: namiwisconsin.org or (608) 268-6000. NAMI is a family-based, statewide organization that offers education, advocacy, and support for individuals and families affected by mental illness. There are local NAMI chapters that host events and activities. Online and in-person support groups are also available for both children and families. For details visit namiwisconsin.org/support-and-education/education-and-support.
Mental Health America of Wisconsin: mhawisconsin.org or (414) 276-3122, is a community-based network offering advocacy, education, and resources.
Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health, children.wi.gov , is a part of the Department of Health Services and offers resources and tools for families and professionals, including the While You Wait guide.
INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network, (877) WiscWay (877-947-2929): Wisconsin Wayfinder offers families one name and phone number to find services for children with special health care needs. Wayfinder connects you to a resource guide at one of the five Children’s Resource Centers in your area.
Do you need a resource in another format or a printed copy? Contact Lynn@fvofwi.org.
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