Meet Your Mental Health Task Force!

Image of flower growing out of rocks.

Assembled by Lynn Buske, Chair of the Mental Health Task Force

Many of our task forces have long lists of people who get email updates about the issues and meetings. Some of those people used to attend and don’t any longer, some of them never have been able to attend, some contribute perspectives via email, and some of them show up regularly. Task force leaders know the people on their lists, and they try to ensure they all know each other. But our Mental Health Task Force, with a lot of turnover lately, reintroduced themselves to each other recently, and we realized the larger JONAH readership has no idea who the people on our task force are, what they are fighting for, and why. We wanted to share these short stories of our real volunteers with you! 

We also wanted to share with all of you some of our favorite coping strategies in hopes they find people who need them these days!

Everyone was asked: 

  1. Name
  2. Connection to this group
  3. Current coping strategies
  4. What they’re advocating for
  5. And, the question we ask every meeting, “What is the state of your heart in this moment?” 

Here is what was shared…

Scott Wuerch

  • I have been helping a friend get back on their feet after a mental health setback. I have become so frustrated with the “system” and the “help” in WI. My goal is to use our story and experiences to change how mental health is provided in WI. 
  • I am primarily advocating for an overhaul of the Chapter 51 process, establishing care centers and getting more beds available for mental health patients that need treatment. 

Kristin Deprey

  • I became connected to JONAH through Citizen Action a couple years ago. I also am connected to JONAH through my volunteer work (and now paid staff work) at NAMI Chippewa Valley. Though I would love to be more involved with JONAH, I do love to table for the green bandana project and help with advocacy when I can! 
  • I’ve recently made a list of tasks, habits I want to incorporate, and goals that I have set for myself. I have much on the lists. Rather than overwhelm myself with the ever popular “I will do them ALL” and then 3 weeks later, one’s exercise bike is being used to hang towels, I will be picking one or two to work on for the week and go from there, so as not to overwhelm myself, which is my usual, and as we all know, problematic, method! This to me is self care. It’s moving myself forward. Even if it’s ever so slowly, it’s forward! 
  • My own mental health journey brought me to NAMI and JONAH. I work as a peer-to-peer group facilitator with NAMI. Though I am not certified, I and many others feel it’s important to see that the Certified Peer to Peer programs around WI are recognized as such with the proper coding with Medicaid. Right now there is little to no Medicaid compensation for a certified peer to peer facilitator. 

Cassandra Ndlovu

  • I got connected to JONAH after stopping by their booth at Juneteenth a few summers ago, and I also got to know Lynn more closely through community engagements. I’m a nursing professor at UWEC and teach Population Health. I try to connect my students to the community and emphasize upstream approaches. Mental Health is at the top of my list. 
  • My current coping tip is “kill them with kindness”. 
  • In the state budget, I’m advocating for expanding Medicaid. 

Cory Welke 

  • I got connected with JONAH through getting to know Lynn and then hearing about the work through her. 
  • I show up to this work with deep passion from my own life lived experiences. My self-care right now revolves around listening to my heart and getting to know my true self. I am most content when I am outside in nature, writing, reading, doing art, and being in deep meaningful conversations about things that support us as heart-centered individuals that make up the whole. 
  • My passion with legislation goes to proactive approaches, education around new information coming around the brain/nervous system/the heart energy field and connection to mental health, as well as youth mental health and supporting our schools/educators. 
  • I appreciate the passion and stories that have brought people to this work. I have only been in the group a short time and I can already feel the heart-centered energy.

Lacie Weatherholt

  • I got connected to JONAH in 2021 through my congregation, Hope United Methodist. JONAH gave me some incredible opportunities to use my talents to advocate, learn, and grow both personally and professionally. This led me to my current position as Community Engagement Coordinator at At The Roots, LLC., a peer-run peer support agency in Eau Claire.
  • My current coping tip is singing. Singing loudly and freely as a way to decompress – alone, so I don’t offend anyone’s ears. It makes breathwork a lot more fun!
  • I will also be advocating for Medicaid.

Carrie Roberts

  • I am the Director of Regional Operations for NorthLakes Community Clinic. We recently established a clinic on Clairemont Avenue with the closure of Prevea and HSHS. We offer BH, Recovery, Medical, MAT, Chiro, and soon Psychiatry and PT. 
  • I became aware of JOHAH through Lynn and the work she is doing with the County and non-profit organizations. 
  • In February of 2024 I was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney Failure and am currently active on the Deceased Donor List and the Pair Donor List. So coping for me looks a bit different this last year. I have faith that God has a plan and I continue to focus on the things that are in my control. Spending quality time with Family has also been a large priority helping me create meaningful memories. 
  • There is so much I am advocating for in this state budget. In addition to my role with NorthLakes, I am also a School Board Member and a Varsity Volleyball Coach. I feel that we need to focus on the workforce for mental health, which includes student loan repayment to encourage individuals to become providers of mental health. We serve patients who are uninsured and under-insured and on Medicaid so we are always advocating for funding and access to quality care. 

Tanya Lee 

  • I am an LPC, SAC-IT , art therapy life coach, and a peer specialist. I am the owner of Epic Epiphanys, and now joint owner of 4c’s 2nd chances, a rental organization of which we are in the beginning process of a sober living home (Glenloch retreat) for women in Chippewa Falls. I am passionate about human existence being more comfortable in life. I have been a CNA, an MA, and a domestic violence facilitator. I offer peer support in re-entry, and am in alignment to offer my services in the local jails. I strongly support treatment over incarceration after watching my veteran father, uncles, aunts, brother, and grandfather struggle with mental health and incarceration. I have been part of and spoken to many organizations who help people clarify their passion for helping others and teaching others to help themselves. I am currently trying to see where my leadership fits in the community.
  • I have been out of the loop for about 6 months; focusing on my business and myself after losing someone I truly loved to suicide a few months ago. I am preparing to resurface, so this is phase 1.  

Audrey Nelson

  • I have recently become involved with the Mental Health Task Force after previously being very active in the Criminal Justice Reform Team with JONAH. I have been away from JONAH for a few years following the death of my husband, Randy. He was part of my motivation for working in the justice realm, as he dealt with mental health, substance use, and justice related issues.  
  • The primary reason for my involvement in the CJRT was as an advocate for individuals with brain injury. I am a 43 year survivor of brain injury. For 27 years, I owned a company that provided residential care for individuals with brain injury and many of them also had issues with substance use and law enforcement. I sold that company in 2022 and I am now the Director of the Brain Injury Association of Wisconsin. Our state office is at UW-Eau Claire. We recently received a federal grant to help develop/strengthen the awareness, availability, and access to needed services.  
  • Brain Injury can result in mental health issues. There is often an intersection of needs and similar concerns about access and availability of quality care. Of course, there is also the overlay of substance use and justice involvement that exacerbates an individual’s and family’s abilities to manage life after brain injury.  
  • My hope is that I can help spread awareness of the complex issues related to brain injury and mental health and to advocate for access to quality services for all who need them.  

Emalie Huggins

  • This year I am a junior at UW-EC majoring in Religious Studies and minoring in Business Administration, with the goal of working in church and/or parachurch organizational leadership as a pastor and/or chaplain. As someone who’s experienced mental illness and healing in community, I want to be there for others, especially in healing from religious trauma and abuse. Joining this group was an opportunity to connect with others with a concern for mental health care, especially peer-to-peer care and caregiver care. Although I haven’t participated much due to my class schedule, I do hope to participate more in the future.
  • For coping tips, I really appreciate what someone else said in their response: “Kill them with Kindness.” I’ve taken that to heart. Currently I cope by being mindful in living fully into each moment (as best I can). Before studying, I like to light a candle and focus my intentions. Getting off social media helps, too.
  • Regarding public policy, I would love to see greater access to group therapy and peer-to-peer support services. For people moving here from warmer climates and cultures, I think workshops in how to survive and care for one’s mental health during the long, cold winter months would be especially helpful. Even refresher courses for people who’ve lived here a while but have found themselves struggling with seasonal depression might be helpful.

Jackie Christner 

  • I am a founding member of JONAH. I have served on our Health care Reform Committee (dispersed after the ACA passed), Treatment Instead of Prison Task Force, which became the Criminal Justice Reform Team, which became the Chippewa Valley Justice Action Team; the Mental Health Task Force, JONAH Board, and First Congo’s Core Team. In all of these, my emphasis has been on mental health care because I had a son with ADHD growing up and schizophrenia as an adult. He died of an overdose of his prescription drug on January 1, 2010 at the age of 35.
  • My best coping tool is being with friends but also taking time to organize my affairs when I become overwhelmed. To recognize those days when I need to back away and work on my personal responsibilities to lessen my stress. 
  • I do plan to continue pushing for much more funding for mental health programs and expanding Medicaid, including a public option. 

Becky Kneer

  • I am a retired RN and live in Menomonie. My background is in community health nursing, and I have always been interested in mental health. I am currently part of the Dunn County health coalition called Health Dunn Right and co-chair the Mental Health Action Team. I am involved in helping get the Green Bandana Project established in Menomonie. Also getting resources out to folks…in the form of Community Resource Guide. I have been on different mental health task forces over the years. My interest relates to several friends and family members over the years who have had mental health struggles.
  • As for things I do for coping, I’d say getting out in nature, reading, movies, limiting myself on social media, spending time with friends and family, doing what I can do to help others in our community. Currently my “project” is nonprofit nonpartisan community-led free digital local news…Menomonie News Net. 
  • In terms of policy issues I would like to see more providers for mental health in our area. Even if we get the facilities, we still need the providers to go with them. I would like to see some kind of incentive for mental health providers to practice in our area. Perhaps payback for their loans if they practice in a rural area. Right now in our county we are sending many of our folks needing mental health services to Winnebago! For our teenagers, they are often being sent out of state at a very high cost to the county and also not in the best interest of the teen or their family. But at this point, it is the only option. I also am interested in veteran mental health (I’m a retired Army Nurse) and farmer mental health (I grew up on a dairy farm in rural Buffalo County).

Dustin Van Sloten

  • I’ve been a member of the Mental Health Task Force since 2021. I am currently the Manager at Rally House in Eau Claire. I’ve been passionate about helping others enhance their mental wellness through fitness and recreation, and helping college students navigate the pressures of college life. I learned of the Green Bandana Project through my days working on college campuses, and thought it would be beneficial to bring to communities.
  • My current coping tool is daily quiet/spiritual time and exercise. This has helped me get through my most stressful times in my life. I would advocate for healthier lifestyles and educational programs to help people understand the benefits of exercise, nutrition, and getting out in nature. It’s been a pleasure to read all your stories.

Terri

  • I am a volunteer for JONAH and advocate for mental health care. I attend meetings via Zoom or in person when I can, due to my work schedule commitments. I have a child who suffers from mental health issues, and have been down the commitment path multiple times. 
  • Presently, my adult child is doing fantastic. I now guide families through the chapter 51 process, locally and in the rural areas. I try to provide education of groups like NAMI and encourage rural areas to start JONAH groups so they can find a supportive community, which is unheard of in rural areas. I help them understand what a chapter 51 is and the challenges that can occur before a chapter 51 and after release. This allows them to prepare in advance for the release of their loved one into the community, etc. I have spent a plethora of hours with the Department of treatment and prevention and numerous emails to the Governor’s office. 
  • My peace comes from cooking, art, walking my dogs, and spending time with my kids and grandchildren. 

Mina Lemke Esser

  • I moved to Eau Claire about a year ago from Madison. Presently, I am involved in NAMI WI, JONAH, solitary confinement transformation in the prison system, Disability Rights, and I am on the Disability Rights Wisconsin board for mental health. I advocate in the areas above. Right now, I hope to attend a Joint Finance Committee hearing to advocate for changes for those incarcerated with mental health challenges. My other topic to advocate for is special education funding. 
  • I cope by reading history, politics, and the Criminal Justice system. Mental health research as well. My heart tells me that I feel a bit overwhelmed today. 

David Stanley

  • I’m a certified peer specialist and work as a peer support specialist with Eau Claire County Human Services. My previous roles include mobile crisis responder with Northwest Connections, community coordinator with WI Milkweed Alliance, prevention specialist with Vivent Health, community health liaison with EC Health Dept. and AmeriCorps, and a diverse work history (feed mill, factory, legal office, wait staff, etc). I am a parent of two adult children and a teen. I am a US Army veteran having served between 2002-2006. Volunteer work includes training and work with a disaster response team of WI Red Cross, FEMA, and a local public access TV station. I am currently on the boards for WI Milkweed Alliance and Three Bridges Recovery and serve on several advisory committees. I am passionate and experienced in advocacy, allyship, community connection and outreach, and harm reduction.

Barb Habben

  • I’m the volunteer education program coordinator for NAMI CHIPPEWA VALLEY. My husband and I have been a part of the group that started the new affiliate that began in 2010 after the previous affiliate had disbanded some time several years prior to our involvement. I have a brother and son that both live with serious mental health conditions. 
  • The lack of adequate quality mental illness treatment and resources as well as the ever-continuing stigma for individuals and their families is why I have to do this work. I have been leading, along with my husband, the NAMI family support group since 2012 and I’m also trained to teach the family-to-family class which I have done since 2013. I am also trained to present the elementary Program mental health chat. We are very proud of helping our affiliate reach enough financial stability to open an office and hire an executive director and recently an administrative assistant. I am a retired Eau Claire elementary school teacher. I am passionate about education and extremely angered at the dismantling of the Department of Education. 
  • To destress l am never without a book near me – especially historical fiction. I love being with my women’s card group and book club. My husband and I enjoy lots of outdoor activities such as riding our E- bikes and playing pickle ball. I dabble in some flower gardening and watching the numerous birds in our wooded yard on the Eau Claire River. Being outdoors, especially hiking, helps keep me grounded.  

Amy Hahn

  • I am an LPC and ATR with 14 years of experience. My Participants are people in need of crisis stabilization who’s lives had been deeply affected by poverty, addiction, loss, incarceration, marginalization, and constant adversity,  
  • I moved to Eau Claire in 2016 from Chicago and started my private practice in 2017 working with CCS because I am part of a treatment team/collective. Being part of people’s healing journey to find doctors, mental health support and community support has been such a gift as a clinician. … It takes so long for a mental health professional to start earning a living wage because of all the credentialing that they suffer with student loan debt ballooning those first 5 years in the field.
  • I don’t like to say I am “busy” but I will say my life is very full at the moment with owning a private practice, co-directing a program I started through an incredible non-profit in town so youth could have access to art as healing called Art with Heart, being a mother of 2 girls, wife, and twin. I am fortunate to have a large family that lives locally.
  • The state of my heart – frenetic and worried. I cope through prayer, being as closely connected to my spiritual community as my schedule can allow, family, rest, and doing anything I can that inspires a little moment of joy/makes me smile, like this cute angry frog video.
  • Because of our current administration. funding was just pulled 2 weeks ago mid-grant from a now former program I received referrals from called Renewed Strength through LSS that helped women in recovery. Now more than ever I need to be part of a group of people that are passionate about not letting things like this happen without a fight for those who are too busy just trying to survive.

Lynn Buske

  • I’m the Organizer for JONAH and current chair of the Mental Health Task Force. I started with JONAH 7 years ago hoping to bring mental health to the forefront of conversations, having been affected my whole life and able to see how it is a component with all our other issues. I helped start this group during the pandemic as the need drastically rose. We started with just getting acquainted, offering support to each other, and seeking what was the state of mental health, and its resources, in the community. That learning led to action and growth, and here we are.
  • I’m advocating for childcare because birth-5 is such a crucial period, and youth are so vulnerable and don’t choose their circumstances. As a child I didn’t have resources, support, or language, and I seek to ensure that all children have that and that stigma is eliminated for all adults as well. My heart in this moment is full of concern and hope.
  • I cope largely by dancing – connecting to my body. I also try to feel my feelings, make lots of art, BE in nature, and hugs! My faith has played a huge role in my well-being my entire life.