Prevention and Education

The millage works to reduce stigma against mental illness and substance use disorders through community education, sharing resources, and encouraging help-seeking behavior. 

In 2024, the millage partnered with the Washtenaw County Health Department, the county’s chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), a western Washtenaw mental health coalition, and more to strengthen communities by creating shared understanding and support networks.

Millage partners combatted stigma and educated the community about mental health by…

Revamping youth mental health messaging

Increasing outreach and advocacy for county residents

Servicing western Washtenaw

Training communities in mental health response

Revamping youth mental health messaging.

With millage funds, the Washtenaw County Health Department worked with youth to redesign their #WishYouKnew campaign—created to spark honest conversations about mental health—to better speak to the mental health needs of Washtenaw youth.

With input from county youth, #WishYouKnew developed new taglines, diversified their ad materials, and offered more physical resources. New ads were created and distributed through multimedia platforms, print pocket resource guides were developed, and updated branding was released.

Three people talking with a Sheriff Officer

As a result of their outreach efforts, in 2024, NAMI:

Received 236 registrations for peer support groups from people dealing with a mental health condition or supporting someone who is

Received 144 registrations for eight-week-long Peer-to-Peer and Family-toFamily classes

Hosted 38 booths and presentations featuring mental health resources at local organizations and companies

Increasing outreach and advocacy for county residents.

NAMI Washtenaw County promotes mental health resources and provides programming to county residents in order to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and provide coping strategies for mental health issues. 

With millage funds, NAMI was able to expand their outreach and advocacy efforts, connecting with local organizations and employers and serving residents through support groups and online classes. NAMI also translated its resource guide, “Taking Care,” to Spanish to reach more county residents.

Large key hole illustration with people making decisions.

As a result of their outreach efforts, in 2024, NAMI:

Received 236 registrations for peer support groups from people dealing with a mental health condition or supporting someone who is

Received 144 registrations for eight-week-long Peer-to-Peer and Family-toFamily classes

Hosted 38 booths and presentations featuring mental health resources at local organizations and companies

Servicing western Washtenaw.

Since 2019, with millage support, the 5 Healthy Towns Foundation (5HF) has convened stakeholders to improve health and well-being on the county’s Westside, launching the One Big Thing initiative. One Big Thing tackles mental and community health along three fronts, with three corresponding action teams—social isolation and sense of purpose; barriers to resources, including food and transportation; and use of alcohol and other drugs.

The action teams worked to build referral networks and partnerships with key service providers and community stakeholders, including schools, hospitals, and senior centers in underrepresented and rural parts of the county.

Two people from Washtenaw county's Crisis Negotiation Team

In 2024, with millage, funds, the action teams were able to:

Convene roughly 50 people at each OBT community meeting, representing more than 30 local organizations.

Partner with 25 workplaces to distribute resources focused on employee health and well-being, including 5 videos.

Approve or install Narcan sites in Grass Lake, Dexter, Manchester, and Stockbridge, making Narcan free and accessible to residents

Training communities in mental health response.

The millage provides funding to train youth and adults in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), an evidence-based intervention course that teaches community members how to respond to and support people experiencing mental health or substance use challenges.

The nationally-recognized course instructs participants on how to recognize and proactively respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges, and what kind of initial support they can provide before connecting people struggling with professional help.

In 2024:

Large key hole illustration with people making decisions.

65 adults were trained in MHFA through Washtenaw County Community Mental Health

91 youth were trained in MHFA through the Washtenaw Intermediate School District

To access millage-funded services,
call 1-734-544-3050