The nation’s first respite home managed by veterans for veterans experiencing mental health and substance use challenges is now open in Pewaukee.
The R&R House operates in a similar way to the other peer-run respites funded by DHS.
As with the existing peer-run respites, such as the Iris Place in Appleton, the staff at the R&R House provide around-the-clock support through overnight stays in a home-like environment and phone calls.
What’s different about the R&R House is the people providing the support are veterans who understand the life experiences of veterans and the mental health and substance use challenges they face.
Brian Michel, program director of the R&R House and director of prevention services at Mental Health America of Wisconsin, called the R&R House a “unique space for veterans to connect with other veterans in an environment that supports their recovery,”
