DEPARTMENT: Social Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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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 Count...
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