HomeMy WebLinkAboutMental Health Minutes 2018-08-13Brookings City/County/School Mental Health Task Force
August 13, 2018
A meeting of the Brookings City/County/School Mental Health Task Force was held on Monday, August 13, 2018
at 12:00 p.m. in the Brookings City & County Government Center. Present: Mary Beth Fishback, Nikki Eining,
Craig Pahl, Andrea Bjornestad, Mike Bartley, Brookings County Commission and Dan Hansen, Brookings City
Council. Others in attendance were Brookings County Commission Department Director Stacy Steffensen.
Co-Chairperson Eining called the meeting to order.
A motion was made by Pahl, seconded by Fishback to approve the agenda as presented. All members voted
“aye.” Motion carried.
A motion was made by Fishback, seconded by Bartley to approve the minutes from the June 4, 2018 and the
July 16, 2018 meetings. All members voted “aye.” Motion carried.
The group discussed the implementation of the Needs Assessment. Fishback asked for feedback on the draft
survey. Bjornestad said she feels like they are missing an early childhood mental health component to the
survey. The group decided to add a question about availability of services for different age groups, starting with
birth to 5 year olds.
Bartley said he gave the survey to a couple colleagues who asked about the difference between ‘mental health’
and ‘behavioral health.’ He suggested using one term, rather than using them interchangeably. Pahl said the
term ‘behavioral health’ can lead some people to believe the behavior is a choice and not an illness. He prefers
using ‘mental health.’ He also said using ‘mental health’ would serve as continuity with the title of the taskforce.
Bjornestad asked if they should send the survey out to do a ‘pilot’ test before it is presented to the public at -
large. Each member was directed to share the survey with 2 to 3 people and get that feedback to Fishback by
the end of the week.
The group is still planning on distributing the survey throughout the month of September. Eining discussed
marketing the survey through postcards, social media, United Way, the Farmers Market, and possibly the
Shopper.
Pahl discussed the Crisis Management Training that has been taking place in the community. He said attendance
has been very good and the State’s Attorney’s Office has taken on a leadership role.
The next meeting was set for Monday, September 10, 2018 at 12:00 PM .
Motion by Pahl, seconded by Fishback to adjourn. All members voted “aye.” Motion carried.
Submitted by Stacy Steffensen