Universities of Wisconsin campuses would have to provide virtual mental health services under new proposal

The Universities of Wisconsin system would have to provide students with around-the-clock access to virtual mental health providers under a new Republican proposal. 

If approved, the legislation would require the Board of Regents to contract with an outside vendor for virtual mental health services for students enrolled at UW system institutions. 

UW-Madison already provides this service. But lawmakers say they want to make sure rural students are afforded the same access to mental health care. 

UW-Madison’s virtual program served 637 students in 2023-24 and 1,048 students this school year.

The UW system also offers a 24/7 behavioral health tool for students and staff experiencing anxiety, depression, stress or insomnia. The bill would expand this with a third-party vendor.

State Sen. Jesse James and Rep. Todd Novak, both Republicans, introduced the bill. 

James said mental health is not on a 9-to-5 schedule, so support should not be only offered on that time frame, either.

“Too often, students are suffering in silence without the resources they need,” James said in a statement. “This legislation aims to change that by providing virtual mental health services to smaller UW campuses, where access can be limited. UW–Eau Claire, UW–Stout, and UW–River Falls, have personally met with me to advocate for these resources and their campuses have seen the highest usage of these services, underscoring just how impactful and essential they are.”

The bill does not include funding for the program and comes at a time when Wisconsin’s universities have been facing financial pressures that have led to layoffs and campus closings.

UW system spokesperson Mark Pitsch said universities currently provide 24/7 mental health services, but the funding will expire at the end of June.

“Our budget request seeks funds to continue,” Pitsch said. “We are supportive of this legislation as long as funding is available through the state.”

In 2023, Wisconsin had 916 reported suicide deaths, a 39 percent increase since 2000. In fall 2023, four UW-River Falls students died by suicide in less than two months.

Two deaths this week at UW-Platteville are being investigated as a murder-suicide, campus officials said. 

Novak, whose district borders UW-Platteville, said this bill was written before the incident, but what happened at the school highlights the importance of the legislation. 

“We see the tragedies, but we don’t know how many people dialing a number are saved,” Novak said. “That’s what we’ll never see. If we save one life, it’s worth it. And that’s what we’re trying to do here.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text the three-digit suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. Resources are available online here.