Political Quotes

“today I wish to honor Shel Gross, director of Public Policy for Mental Health America of Wisconsin, MHA, on his retirement. Throughout his career, Shel has helped everyday Wisconsinites in their battle with mental health issues and has been a powerful advocate, peer, mentor, and leader in elevating the voices of those struggling with mental illness. Shel has been the director of Public for MHA of Wisconsin since April 2000. During his tenure, he has significantly expanded the array of community-based mental health services that support recovery and independence. Wisconsin owes Shel a debt of gratitude for raising awareness of both the tragedy and treatability of many serious mental health afflictions. Shel's greatest accomplishment is his tremendous work in reducing the prevalence of suicide in Wisconsin. As project manager for MHA's statewide prevention/early intervention initiative in mental health, he focused on improving the quality of behavioral healthcare to help lower Wisconsin's suicide rate. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, over 700 Wisconsin residents die each year by suicide. Another 5,500 Wisconsin residents are hospitalized due to intentional, self-inflicted injury. As project manager of a suicide prevention grant, Shel made it his life's work to reduce the number of people affected by suicide or suicide attempts, work that deserves the utmost praise and appreciation.…”