HomeMy WebLinkAboutMental Health Minutes 2018-06-04Brookings City/County/School Mental Health Task Force
June 4, 2018
A meeting of the Brookings City/County/School Mental Health Task Force was held on Monday,
June 4, 2018 at 12:00 p.m. in the Brookings City & County Government Center. Present: Mary
Beth Fishback, Nikki Eining, Craig Pahl, Mike Bartley, Brookings County Commission and Randy
Grimsley, Brookings School District. Others in attendance were Brookings County Commission
Department Director Stacy Steffensen.
Co-Chairperson Fishback called the meeting to order.
A motion was made by Eining, seconded by Bartley to approve the agenda as presented. All
members voted “aye.” Motion carried.
A motion was made by Eining, seconded by Grimsley to approve the minutes from the April 30,
2018 meeting. All members voted “aye.” Motion carried.
Eining gave the Resource Review Subcommittee report. She said the Resource Guide was
updated in February and she wants to discuss updating the online version with several new
practices. Eining said the Guide is printed annually and the Help Line will be taking over the
funding of that next year.
The task force discussed where the Needs Assessment Committees were at. Fishback said she
and Andrea Bjornestad are trying to schedule time to meet with the SDSU Counseling Center and
Student Health, as well as scheduling focus group discussions with faculty and staff during the
summer months.
Eining said Brookings school counselors held a discussion on absenteeism and mental health
recently. She said over 300 students missed 15 school days or more due to mental health
concerns this past school year. Eining said the district is looking at their policy on how parents
or guardians notify the school when a student is missing class due to a mental health issue.
The group discussed the questions for the survey. Pahl said that he’s not concerned if they reach
individuals more than once because they fall into different categories. Fishback said they can
present the findings with the understanding that there may be a duplication of information, but
she said they will want to be as broad as possible.
Eining said another question on the survey should focus on a person’s sense of support and
belonging within their community.
The task force discussed how the survey will be marketed and the group came to the consensus
that August would be a good time to get the survey out to the public.
Pahl asked about creating a slogan or a ‘hook’ for people to recognize the survey and the task
force’s efforts. He said that branding could carry into the future when the task force’s work is
finished.
Fishback suggested that everyone think of organizations that could help distribute the survey.
Motion by Bartley, seconded by Eining to adjourn. All members voted “aye.” Motion carried.
Submitted by Stacy Steffensen