DEPARTMENT: Social Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Update On Mental Health Promotion, Receive Local Advisory Council Report, And Proclamation Of May As Mental Health Month
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on mental health promotion and a report from the Local Advisory Council (LAC) and proclaim May as Mental Health Month in Dakota County.
SUMMARY
May is National Mental Health Month. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness:
• One in five United States (U.S.) adults experience mental illness,
• One in twenty U.S. adults experience serious mental illness, and
• 17 percent of youth, ages 6-17 years, experience a mental health disorder.
Mental health is an important determinant of overall health and well-being for individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with compounding community trauma, has had a significant impact on adult and child mental health, particularly for people with pre-existing mental illness and Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and for communities of color. Many residents are struggling with the long-term impacts of illness, loss of loved ones, social isolation, job loss, changes in routines, racism or other forms of discrimination, and community trauma. As a result, many are experiencing unprecedented levels of fear, anxiety, and stress.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Dakota County has maintained focus on connecting people to community mental health and SUD services, promoting mental health messaging and initiatives, addressing service needs and gaps through community partnerships, and engaging the perspective and voice of people with lived experience. This includes providing community members with practical tools they can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency. Prevention is an effective strategy to reduce the impact of mental health conditions and, with effective treatment, those individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full, productive lives.
Dakota County has a network of mental health services and initiatives that provide mental health support and promote mental health awareness and education. Dakota County staff, in partnership with other organizations, are committed to building public awareness and addressing stigma as important steps in supporting people to access treatment and support. Promoting mental health and awareness of resources and support is especially important given the impacts of the pandemic and community trauma on mental health and well-being.
Staff will provide an update on mental health services, resources, and initiatives, including:
• Use of data to assess needs and trends
• Initiatives focused on awareness, education, prevention, and early intervention, including suicide prevention
• Members of Dakota County’s Adult and Children’s LACs will share their annual reports (Attachment: Annual Report)
OUTCOMES
None.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Dakota County Board of Commissioners proclaim May as Mental Health Month in Dakota County, and support efforts to promote mental health awareness, trauma-informed training, education, and access to services and supports to serve the mental health needs of the residents of Dakota County.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, May is National Mental Health Month; and
WHEREAS, mental health is an important determinant of overall health and well-being for individuals; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic, along with compounding community trauma, has had a significant impact on adult and child mental health, particularly for people with pre-existing mental illness and Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and for communities of color; and
WHEREAS, there are practical tools that all people can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency; and
WHEREAS, the mental health impacts of the pandemic and community trauma are significant; and
WHEREAS, prevention is an effective strategy to reduce the impact of mental health conditions and, with effective treatment, those individuals with mental health conditions can recover and lead full, productive lives; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has a network of mental health services and initiatives that provide mental health services and promote mental health awareness and education; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County staff, in partnership with other key organizations, is committed to building public awareness and addressing stigma as important steps in supporting people to access treatment and support; and
WHEREAS, promoting mental health and awareness of resources and support is especially important given long-term impacts of the pandemic and community trauma on mental health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends the Dakota County Board of Commissioners proclaim May as Mental Health Month in Dakota County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaims May 2022 as Mental Health Month in Dakota County, and supports efforts to promote mental health awareness, training, education, and access to information, services, and supports to serve the mental health needs of the citizens of Dakota County.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Annual Report
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACTS
Department Head: Evan Henspeter
Author: Emily Schug