The State of Wisconsin took a major step forward in the battle against suicide earlier this year with the passage of the PSYPACT Bill back in February.
The general idea of this law is that it allows mental health professionals to practice as a psychologist in any state that is a part of the agreement without needing a new license for that state.
While on WOMT’s Be My Guest Program this week, State Assemblyman Paul Tittl explained that COVID was a bit of a double-edged sword as far as mental health is concerned.
While the lack of human contact and monetary issues did cause a lot of people to become depressed, it also actually helped this bill become law.
“We have learned one thing about COVID. These virtual meetings with some doctors, they can actually work,” Tittl explained. “You can get a lot of things accomplished with Zoom or Team Meetings or whatever.”
Tittl went on to say that practitioners such as Stacey Soeldner, a Psychologist in Manitowoc who has been a vocal supporter of the measure, will be able to expand their services under this law.
“Or if she has somebody that she is seeing that needs…a very specialized practice…she can actually connect somebody up with somebody in one of the other compact states,” Tittl explained.
Tittl said that he has been working for the past four years to get this bill signed, and is happy that more people will be able to get the help they need.
