Olmsted County puts spotlight on Mental Health Awareness Month

Social worker meeting with a client

Olmsted County is joining millions of Americans in recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month. This month provides a unique opportunity to spread awareness and act on mental health matters.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. Less than half of them receive treatment. Olmsted County is not immune to this issue.

“We all have mental health; it affects how we think, feel, and act every day,” said Olmsted County Adult and Family Services Adult Mental Health Program Coordinator Laura Sutherland. “However, mental health is often ignored until something is going wrong. The best way to prevent that is to pay attention to your mental health even when you feel okay or good.”

The Olmsted County 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) listed mental health as one of its three priorities. According to the report, 34% of Olmsted County adults reported mental health issues. Data from the Minnesota Student Survey indicates 26.6% of Olmsted County students reported they had a long-term mental health, behavioral, or emotional problem.

Throughout 2022, the Southeast Regional Crisis Center (SERCC) experienced increased in calls and mental health assessments. SERCC had 1,506 individuals assessed in their clinic. Of those assessed, 696 individuals stayed in SERCC residential units for an average of 5.62 days for adults and 6.56 days for youth.

According to the CHNA, Olmsted County has a higher proportion of adults reporting depression than Minnesota and the United States. Disparities in the number of adults reporting mental health issues exist among adults with a disability, unmarried adults, and non-heterosexual adults. Olmsted County Community Health Assessment and Planning (CHAP) partners are currently discussing potential strategies to address these disparities.

“As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we must understand that mental health is crucial to the overall well-being of Olmsted County,” said Olmsted County Commissioner Board Chair Gregg Wright. “It’s time to break the stigma surrounding mental illness and prioritize mental health support in our community.”

Olmsted County has several services available to assist individuals needing mental health assistance, including resources for adult and youth behavioral health. SERCC is also able to provide care to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. The lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Media contact: Emma Diercks, Communications Specialist, 507-328-6166