Better Together in La Crosse County

Hundreds of La Crosse County youth struggle with mental health challenges that can lead to depression and dangerous consequences.

Together, we can help our youth live happier, healthier lives. Together, we can find solutions that help entire communities thrive. Because we’re Better Together.

An extraordinary opportunity to improve mental health in La Crosse County

Better Together is funded through 2024 by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment at the Medical College of Wisconsin. La Crosse County—one of 10 communities statewide selected to receive this grant—was chosen due to its proven history of creating positive change through innovation and collaboration.

Better Together will enable strategic community collaboration to help:

Improve mental health

Reduce depression risk among area youth in ages 12–18

Promote an overall culture of mental wellness

Normalize mental health conversations

Better mental health is critical for youth

Hundreds of La Crosse County youth suffer with mental health challenges that can lead to depression and dangerous consequences.

It’s OK to talk about mental health. There is hope.

1 in 5

Youth

1 in 5 youth in our community will face a mental health challenge+

50%

Begin by age 14

50% of mental health challenges begin by age 14 and impact learning, relationships and lifestyle choices*

31%

At risk for depression

31% of La Crosse County youth reported being at risk for depression in 2021^

15%

Considered suicide

15% of La Crosse County youth reported they seriously considered suicide in 2017^

References
+National Institute of Mental Health (www.nimh.nih.gov).
*Kessler, R.C, et al. (2005). Lifetime prevalence and age of onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Archives of General Psychiatry, 62(6), 593-602.
^2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, as administered in several La Crosse County (Wisconsin) schools.