Action Alert

Federal Funding Cut Threatens Essential Mental Health Support in Minnesota

 
 

What Happened

Last week, the U.S. government suddenly took away over $12 billion that was supposed to go to different states. On Friday, the state of Minnesota told Wellness in the Woods that our Warmline funding was included in this cut. This money helps us run the Peer Support Connection Warmline, a free phone service that helps people who need support.

What We’re Doing

First, we want you to know that the Warmline is not shutting down. However, because of this unexpected change, we have had to adjust our staff, which means the way people use the service may be different.

How You Can Help

We need your support to make up for the lost money so we can keep helping thousands of people. Here’s how you can help:

  1. Donate, if you can. Every donation helps keep Wellness in the Woods programs running, including the Warmline. All donations are tax-deductible.

  2. Tell others. If you can’t donate, please ask friend or family for support.

  3. Contact your lawmakers. The government took away the funding, and we are asking them to give it back. Let them know why this program matters to you.

2024 Warmline Impact

The Peer Support Connection Warmline supported

36,878 interactions in

80 counties and 1 tribal reservation.

Of the 20,672 callers responding to the question “Did calling today help you?”

97.4% said Yes!

“I’m so grateful for the Warmline... [For] keeping me from needing to go to the ER because of spiraling... Getting the extra support I needed today helped me function today and live my life like everyone else.”
— Warmline Caller, Ramsey County
“It helps me stay focused on the important things and gives me an outlet to get out the frustrations and turmoil that are in my head.”
— Warmline Caller, Freeborn County
“Your support is appreciated beyond what words can say.”
— Wellness in the Woods Management Team

Sample Message for Lawmakers

If you call or email, here’s an example of what you can say:

Dear [Lawmaker’s Name],

I live in your district, and I am asking you to work with others to bring back funding for important programs like the Wellness in the Woods Warmline. This free service helps thousands of people across Minnesota by giving them someone to talk to when they need support the most. [Please share a personal story about the Warmline, if you’d like.]

Please help fix this problem and restore the funding.

Thank you,

[Your Name]

 

How to Contact Lawmakers

Find out who represents you by visiting this website: Minnesota District Finder. Since this is federal funding, your U.S. Senators and Congressperson are the most important people to contact.

Minnesota Senators

Minnesota Governor

U.S. President

Find Your Congressperson

The quickest way to find your U.S. House Representative is here: Find Your Congressperson.

Or, below is a list of Minnesota congresspersons, the counties they represent*, and information about how to contact them:

Brad Finstad: Call 1-202-225-2472 or use this contact form.

Representing Rock, Nobles, Jackson, Martin, Faribault, Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore, Houston, Watonwan, Blue Earth, Waseca, Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Winona, eastern Brown, Nicollet, southeastern Rice, Goodhue, & Wabasha counties.


Angie Craig: Call 1-202-225-2271 or use this contact form.

Representing Le Sueur, northwestern Rice, Dakota, Scott, and southern Ramsey counties.


Kelly Morrison: Call 1-202-225-2871 or use this contact form.

Representing western Hennepin & southwestern Anoka counties.


Betty McCollum: Call 1-202-225-6631 or use this contact form.

Representing Ramsey & central Washington counties.


Ilhan Omar: Call 1-202-225-4755 or use this contact form.

Representing eastern Hennepin county.


Tom Emmer: Call 1-202-225-2331 or use this contact form.

Representing Carver, Wright, Anoka, Sherburne, Benton, & eastern Stearns counties.


Michelle Fischbach: Call 1-202-225-2165 or use this contact form.

Representing Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, Norman, Clay, southern Becker, southern Hubbard, Wilkin, Otter Tail, Wadena, Traverse, Grant, Douglas, Todd, Morrison, Big Stone, Stevens, Pope, western Stearns, Swift, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Lac qui Parle, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine, Renville, McLeod, Sibley, Lincoln, Lyon, Redwood, western Brown, Pipestone, Murray, & Cottonwood counties.


Pete Stauber: Call 1-202-225-6211 or use this contact form.

Representing Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Clearwater, Mahnomen, northern Becker, northern Hubbard, Cass, Crow Wing, Koochiching, Itasca, Aitkin, Mille Lacs, Kanabec, Isanti, St. Louis, Carlton, Pine, Chisago, northern Washington, Lake, & Cook counties.


*Please note that not all district boundaries follow county lines exactly. The best way to know who represents you is here: Find Your Congressperson.