Behavioral Health: Aurora Health Care

Behavioral Health: Aurora Health Care
750 W. Virginia St., Milwaukee

Physicians at Aurora Health Care recognize the growing need for behavioral health care services in the community. In fact, 63 percent of physicians report seeing behavioral health issues in their practice each and every day.

That is why Aurora Health Care has invested heavily in inpatient, residential and outpatient behavioral health services.

In 2015, the company announced a $35 million project to improve the Aurora Psychiatric Hospital Campus in Wauwatosa. The project, which will be completed in 2018, will include renovation of the hospital to increase capacity for additional patients and staff, a new parking structure, and replacement of the Dewey Center, Aurora’s aging residential substance abuse and rehabilitation facility. The project will also include replacement of the aging Alumni House, which is used as a short-term sober living facility.

Additionally, Aurora wants to deliver behavioral health care to more people. The company recently launched partial-hospitalization and intensive outpatient behavioral health programs in Sheboygan and Glendale.

Aurora is taking steps to change the culture of the health care space as it relates to behavioral health. With an expanded focus on behavioral health services, Aurora hopes it will become more integrated into primary care services.

Whenever possible, primary care physicians at Aurora work with patients experiencing mild to moderate behavioral health issues that manifest in symptoms like panic attacks and shortness of breath.

Doing this allows specialists to focus on more acute behavioral health cases.

In 2015, Aurora provided $6.6 million in grants through its Better Together Fund to AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, the Benedict Center, Bread of Healing Clinic, Lake Area Free Clinic, Outreach Community Health Centers, Penfield Children’s Center, the Salvation Army and other health centers and free clinics throughout the state. The funds helped community-based providers improve access to primary care and behavioral health services.

A new round of Better Together funds will be announced again this year.

Aurora knows behavioral health care is a critical component to the overall wellbeing of individuals and communities.

The company is committed to furthering the conversation, reducing stigma, and helping community and government leaders address issues associated with behavioral health and substance abuse.