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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Maria Baca, Communications, 612-348-7865
Funding will help combat effects of COVID-19 on mental, chemical health
The county has set aside $20 million to increase equity and access to mental health supports.
COVID-19 has taken a toll on people’s mental health, creating an urgent need to build on this work. During the pandemic, four times more people have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression. Suicide was the second leading cause of death of Minnesotans ages 18-34 in 2020.
Youth and Black, Indigenous and people of color are disproportionately affected. Hispanic Americans are 1.3 times more likely than non-Hispanic Americans to report symptoms of anxiety or depression. Black Americans are 1.2 times more likely.
“Declining mental health in our community is a sometimes-invisible impact of the pandemic," said Hennepin County Board Chair Marion Greene. "Many people have experienced isolation, economic stress, illness and death due to the pandemic. This has led to more people experiencing mental illness and substance use disorders, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”
Funding focus areas
Funding comes from the federal American Rescue Act Plan. Efforts will focus on communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Increase youth and family access to support
- Mental health supports in schools – expand access to 85% of students (compared to current 13%)
- Family home visiting – support healthy child development and caregiver mental health
- Public health and child protection partnership – provide health screenings and connections to services for children
- Support for parents with substance use disorders – offer an option for parents to get treatment at home, reducing need for child protection
- Youth crisis stabilization – expand services to reduce the need for out-of-home placement
- Juvenile behavioral health initiative – work countywide to divert youth from justice involvement
"Several initiatives that support early childhood, youth, families and adults were made possible by leveraging strong partnerships and blended funding," said Leah Kaiser, senior department administrator of Behavioral Health. "Improved partnerships forged across Health, Human Services, and Public Safety will integrate data, policy, resources and services needed for widespread system reform that will benefit some of our most vulnerable residents."
Improve mental health crisis response, reduce justice system involvement
- 911 reform – create an alternate response to 911 calls that are related to mental health
- Alternative to jail, hospital – expand programs at 1800 Chicago to provide round-the-clock, walk-in care
- Embedded social workers – direct people who contact police for mental health reasons toward social services
Increase awareness and access for all
- Culturally specific mental health services – develop a network of providers who meet the needs of a diverse community
- Mental health awareness campaign – fight mental health stigma and prevent suicide in the community
“By supporting the mental health of residents, we are supporting the health of our entire community. We are improving connections to education, employment, income and housing. We are also reducing costly interventions, like hospital and jail stays,” said Greene.
Learn more about this board action.
Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.
Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.
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