February e-news from The Connection

Hello Connection Members & Friends,

Photo of Sarah Bassing-Sutton

It feels like a lot has happened since our member meeting last month. From everyday disruptions, like frigid temperatures, to broader events such as protests and heartbreaking tragedies, the pace and weight of recent weeks have heightened fear and uncertainty for many. Feeling overwhelmed and unsettled is a natural response when so much feels out of our control.

I may sound like a broken record, but in moments like these, tending to our mental health is not optional. It is essential. Slowing down, reconnecting with what grounds us, and focusing on small, steady actions within our reach are critical. This can include checking in with one another, limiting information overload, maintaining routines, and practicing self-compassion. These are the ways we put our own proverbial “oxygen mask” on first so we can keep showing up for the work ahead.

And the work is moving forward. Just last week, the Tri-County Community Health Improvement Coalition released its first-ever Tri-County Community Health Report, based on a shared Community Health Needs Assessment across Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties. This cross-sector collaboration, supported by United Way Fox Cities as the backbone organization, creates a shared understanding of our region’s greatest needs and aligns efforts for greater impact. The data reinforce what we know. Health outcomes are shaped by the conditions in which people live, learn, work, and belong, not by health care alone. Wealth inequality remains a major driver of health in our region. Click here to read the full report.

If you missed our January 8 member meeting, you can find the slides and recording here. Our next member meeting will be held March 12, 2026. There are many ways to stay engaged and connected. I invite you to check out the opportunities below.

Sarah Bassing-Sutton, Executive Director
The Connection

Our Next Member Meeting: March 12, 2026
Save the Date!

In-Person Meeting:

We meet from 7:30 - 8:30 am. in the Community Room at Catalpa Health, 4635 W. College Ave., Appleton.

Virtual Meeting (via Zoom)

Join us on Zoom from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Get Involved! Join a Group...

Membership Pop-Up Group

We are pulling together a short-term pop-up group that group that will help shape ideas to strengthen the value of Connection membership. The focus is on ensuring new offerings are aligned, meaningful, and responsive to member needs. In-person participation is preferred, with Zoom available as needed. We expect this group to meet just four times.

Click here to for more information and to sign up.

Access to Mental Health Care Task Force

This taskforce will connect existing efforts to improve access to mental health care and identify opportunities to make measurable progress. The work will focus on two areas: strengthening recruitment and retention of licensed mental health professionals, and expanding the lived-experience workforce, including certified peer specialists and community health workers.

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Business of Mental Health Networking Group

The Business of Mental Health is a collaborative peer group created to support the behind-the-scenes work of mental health organizations. Discussions focus on a wide range of operational and leadership topics that impact the effective functioning of mental health–providing organizations.

The group meets virtually on the fourth Friday of each month, typically from 8 to 9 a.m. To learn more and be added to the calendar invite, email Erin: erin.vandenlangenberg@
catalpahealth.org

Pay or renew your membership online

Thank you to everyone who has already renewed their 2026 membership with The Connection. We’ve recently updated our website to make managing memberships easier and more convenient.

Members can now review and renew their membership online, including the option to pay securely online. For those who prefer a paper option, the membership form can also be completed online, downloaded as a PDF, printed, and mailed with a check.

Visit our membership page to review membership details and choose the option that works best for you.

Project Zero Update:
Suicide Prevention Action Team Resources

The Project Zero Suicide Prevention Action Team webpage has been updated with new suicide prevention recommendations developed through the Adult Suicide Death Review work in Winnebago County over the past several years. These recommendations are organized into key themes, including training, education and awareness, policy, lethal means safety, and improved systems communication.

The updated page is designed to make these insights more accessible and actionable for partners working to prevent suicide across the region. The full Adult Suicide Death Review report will be released in March, further detailing the findings and recommendations that inform this work.

Introducing ConnectedFoxValley.org

The Connected Fox Valley website has officially launched, creating a new hub for learning and storytelling focused on strengthening social connection as a critical driver of mental health across Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties.

Connected Fox Valley is a regional initiative of The Connection working to build a shared community roadmap to improve mental health by strengthening social connection, belonging, and community care. Grounded in listening sessions, interviews, research, and local partnerships, the website brings together what we are learning to identify gaps, elevate what’s working, and develop practical, system-level recommendations that support mental well-being and make connection easier and more accessible for everyone.

As part of this work, we will be publishing regular storytelling columns that lift up community voices, highlight local efforts, and share what we are learning along the way. These stories will help inform a broader community roadmap for strengthening social connection and collective well-being across the region.

We invite you to explore the new Connected Fox Valley website and follow along as this work continues to take shape.

Support inclusive, affirming care with this upcoming CEU opportunity!

Join us on Feb. 10 and March 10 for a two -part workshop: Practice and Advocacy for Transgender Individuals, a timely and practical training designed to help helping professionals strengthen skills in working respectfully and effectively with transgender individuals and their families. The sessions focus on inclusive assessment, intervention, and advocacy practices. This training is free for all Connection members, but advance registration is required. Visit our CEU training page for details and registration.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Mental Health Action Partnership Team
Learning Opportunities

Upcoming Learning Session: Chapter 51 Emergency Detention

The Mental Health Action Partnership (MHAP) is hosting a virtual learning session on Feb. 20 focused on Chapter 51 Emergency Detention and effective practices for responding to people experiencing a mental health crisis. Wisconsin law allows for a 72-hour emergency detention when a person poses a risk of harm, but in many communities the process relies heavily on law enforcement, which can increase trauma and strain emergency and justice systems.

This session will highlight collaborative, low-cost approaches being used in some counties to reduce law enforcement involvement, shorten emergency room wait times, and improve treatment and referral outcomes. Participants will leave with practical strategies and connections to support this work locally.

Date: Fri, Feb. 20, 2026
Time: 2:30 - 4 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Facilitated by Sita Diehl and Specialist Sunny Schneider.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Data Workgroup Learning Opportunity: Illinois’ BEACON Project

Mental health stakeholders across the region are invited to attend an upcoming MHAP Data Workgroup meeting featuring a presentation on Illinois’ BEACON project, a large-scale child welfare system reform effort focused on improving outcomes through stronger use of data and administrative best practices.

Project leaders Mike Stiehl of Chapin Hall and Dr. Dana Weiner from the Illinois Governor’s Office will share an overview of the BEACON initiative, lessons learned, and factors that supported successful system transformation. This discussion is especially timely as the Wisconsin Department of Health Services prepares to implement the Rural Health Transformation Program.

Date: Tues., Feb. 10, 2026
Time: 3 - 4 p.m.
Location: Virtual

CLICK HERE FOR ZOOM LINK

New Learning Opportunity: Ebb & Flow Connections Learning Portal

Ebb & Flow Connections Cooperative has launched a new online Learning Portal for 2026, featuring a monthly Lunch & Learn series led by co-op members. Sessions focus on connection, peer support, and practical wisdom, and are recorded for on-demand viewing.

The full year of content is available for a capped organizational rate of $120, with options for individual enrollment, tiered pricing, and scholarships to ensure accessibility. This flexible format supports shared, connection-centered learning for individuals and organizations.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

6th Annual Summit: Suicide Safer Care in Clinical Practice

Registration is open for the 6th Annual Suicide-Safer Care Summit, a two-day virtual conference planned for March 10-11, 2026.

The conference brings together leading experts in suicidology for a practical, evidence-based training addressing the challenges faced by mental health practitioners. Participants will receive direct guidance from intervention developers, current updates into emerging suicide prevention challenges, and concrete steps to work with clients at risk with greater confidence, competence, and clarity.

The two-day summit costs $149 and includes 8 CE credits. Registration is also available for $99 for those attending without CE credits.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO & TO REGISTER

Mental Health Related News

Children’s Wisconsin, UW Health stop providing gender-affirming treatments for minors: Both health systems cited recent changes at the federal level as motivating factors
(Wisconsin Public Radio, 1/12/2026)

Children's, UW Health halt gender health care for minors
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/12/2026)

Emplify reaches $5.2 million fundraising goal for Wisconsin's first EmPATH unit
(NEWS800.com, 1/12/2026)

OCMH 2025 Annual Report released
(Wisconsin Office of Children's Mental Health, 1/09/2026)

Lawmakers propose bell-to-bell cellphone ban in Wisconsin schools
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/30/2026)

Oshkosh launches February Tech-Free Nights to support mental health
(The Oshkosh Northwestern, 1/29/2026)

The Hidden Mental Health Cost of News on Social Media
(Psychology Today, 1/22/2026)

Giving a kid a phone before this age can be especially harmful, research suggests
(The Washington Post, 12/28/2025)

Have Something to Share?

Have a mental health–related event, training, or announcement to share with our network? We’d love to hear about it. Please email Sarah Bassing-Sutton at sarah@newmentalhealthconnection.org for consideration in an upcoming newsletter.

N.E.W. MENTAL HEALTH CONNECTION

P.O. Box 374
Appleton, WI 54912
United States

sarah@newmentalhealthconnection.org ~ 920.454.7731

Click Here to Unsubscribe

Hello Connection Members & Friends,

Pay or renew your membership online

Mental Health Action Partnership TeamLearning Opportunities

Mental Health Action Partnership Team
Learning Opportunities