About Us
A Dedicated and Caring Advocate
Vital Voices for Mental Health, formerly the Consumer Satisfaction Team, is a non-profit, 501(c)3 advocacy organization initially created for mental health consumers (individuals with mental illness) who use services provided by agencies within the Milwaukee County behavioral health system. The mission of Vital Voices is to advocate for excellence in these services through the voice of the people being served. While Vital Voices primarily advocates for adults served by this system, we also respond to concerns expressed by family members and providers. Vital Voices is available to help with other projects outside of the Milwaukee County mental health care system.
Vital Voices was established in 1995 as a unique organization. Our resources enable us to go directly to mental health consumers to find out how they feel about the system, and then work with the system to implement improvements in care. Vital Voices works in the best interest of the mental health consumer to advocate for the best possible treatment and care.
Empathy and Understanding
Research indicates that consumers benefit when they are served by those who have personal experience with mental illness—and Vital Voices understands. Everyone who works for Vital Voices is either a mental health consumer or a family member of someone with mental illness. This first-hand knowledge contributes greatly to our success as advocates because we know what it's like to have mental illness, and it gives us a deep understanding and empathy for the needs of our clients.
Empowering Those In Need
The symptoms of mental illness can make it difficult for mental health consumers to speak out. In addition, some may lack confidence or fear they won't be taken seriously. Vital Voices addresses this problem by providing a safe, emotionally supportive environment that empowers consumers and encourages them to be involved in their treatment. Vital Voices then becomes their spokesperson to advocate with providers to address concerns.
