Children and teens aged 5-18 can now receive immediate mental health care at the new Children’s Wisconsin Kenosha Clinic, which opened in February 2024. The clinic, located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is one of only two clinics in the state offering urgent mental health care for pediatric patients. The clinic is staffed by licensed therapists, social workers, and clinic assistants who provide support and access to mental health services for children and families.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 1 in 5 children suffer from a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for these children to lead healthy lives. The walk-in clinics like the Kenosha clinic offer immediate help to those who need it without needing an appointment or referral. Amy Herbst, vice president of mental and behavioral health at Children’s Wisconsin emphasizes the importance of providing support and access to mental health services for kids and families. She describes the walk-in clinics as ‘urgent care’ for mental health and encourages those in need to seek help without hesitation.
The support for the Kenosha clinic was made possible through Kohl’s Cares Goods for Good initiative, which sells children’s books and toys nationwide and donates all net profits to health and wellness organizations. Jill Timm, Kohl’s chief financial officer and board member of Children’s Wisconsin recognizes the mental health crisis facing our nation particularly among youth, especially with the pandemic situation we have been going through lately. She applauds the walk-in clinic for addressing this challenge head-on by providing essential resources that can make a significant difference in people’s lives.