Representative Emerson believes that a more comprehensive approach is needed to tackle the mental health crisis on UW campuses. While he acknowledges the recent legislative efforts, he feels that more needs to be done to make a significant impact on the lives of students. He criticizes the passing of unfunded mandates and stresses the importance of providing immediate relief and creating an environment that prioritizes mental health.

Emerson co-authored AB 588 earlier this year, a bill that would provide funding for student mental health services at Universities of Wisconsin. He argues that passing this bill would enable UW campuses to hire more counselors and increase programming to help students in crisis and prevent others from reaching one.

The representative has witnessed the mobilization of campuses around students in need and hopes that the legislature will follow suit by providing critical funding during this time. He emphasizes that this is a shared responsibility that goes beyond politics and calls for decisive action to create a safer, more supportive environment on Wisconsin campuses.

Furthermore, Emerson provides resources for those experiencing a mental health crisis, encouraging them to reach out to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988.