DEPARTMENT: Public Health
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
• 17 percent of youth, ages 6-17 years, experience a mental health disorder
• 50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 percent by age 24
Mental health is an important determinant of overall health and well-being for individuals. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with compounding community trauma, continues to have 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.
Dakota County has maintained a 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, training, 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 initiatives focused on awareness, education, prevention, and early intervention. Members of Dakota County’s Adult and Children’s LACs will share their annual reports.
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
body
WHEREAS, May is National Mental Health Month; and
WHEREAS, 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
• 17 percent of youth, ages 6-17 years, experience a mental health disorder
• 50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 percent by age 24
; 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, continues to have 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, 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, resulting in many who are experiencing unprecedented levels of fear, anxiety, and stress; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has maintained a 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, training, and engaging the perspective and voice of people with lived experience; and
WHEREAS, this includes providing community members with practical tools they can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency; 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 support and promote mental health awareness and education; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, 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; 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 2024 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: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Coral Ripplinger
Author: Alex Groten