Carver County Mental Health Consortium

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2013

The Carver County Mental Health Consortium is our community’s effort to increase awareness of mental health services and suicide prevention resources in Carver County. The consortium is a collaboration comprised of members of the Carver/Scott County Mental Health Crisis Team, Carver County Sheriff’s Office, Carver County Behavioral Health, community leaders and representatives of community agencies. Community awareness of mental health services and suicide resources is accomplished by the Consortium initiating and sponsoring educational opportunities, early identification and intervention, awareness of crisis and treatment services, reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and accessing state and federal resources. In the past year, the Carver/Scott Mental Health Crisis Team has supported the Consortium’s mission to create sustainable community partnerships to promote mental health awareness and education in Carver County. Goals of the program have been achieved, including the development of a communications infrastructure, sponsorship of successful community forums, and service to the community as an advisory body. The Carver/Scott Mental Health Crisis Team has helped individuals deal with the impact of suicides in Carver County and is now moving the community forwarded through a public/private collaboration to prevent suicide and improve mental health.The Consortium has successfully facilitated two educational community forums on mental health issues, reaching over 200 concerned residents. Since the Consortium began reaching out to the community, mental health crisis calls to the Carver County Sheriff’s Office have significantly decreased. In addition more people are now aware of and utilizing Carver/Scott Mental Health Crisis Team services as evidenced by increased call volume.