Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing May 2022 as “Mental Health Awareness Month” in the County of El Dorado;
2) Receive a presentation from Behavioral Health staff about crisis services and wellness activities scheduled for the month of May; and
3) Receive a presentation from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, El Dorado.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
The month of May has historically been named “Mental Health Awareness Month” both nationally and in the State of California. Since at least 2006, the County of El Dorado Board of Supervisors has adopted a Proclamation naming May as “Mental Health Awareness Month.”
Mental health is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make contributions to his or her community. Mental Health is critical to the well-being of our families, communities, schools, and businesses. Throughout the Coronavirus Pandemic, El Dorado County residents’ resiliency has been put to the test. The Caldor Fire nearly destroyed an entire town and roughly 25% of the population of our county was evacuated at some time during this disaster. As we begin to emerge from the immediate impact of the Caldor Fire and the Public Health Emergency, it is important to take note of how our community has come together to take care of one another. There is no better time to recognize this than during Mental Health Awareness Month.
HHSA Behavioral Health Division is very grateful for the opportunity to share with the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors data reflecting the crisis services that were provided in calendar year 2021 to demonstrate one aspect of how the Division supports the community. We are also grateful for the opportunity to share how our staff are recognizing this special month through wellness activities to support the mental health of those we serve and of our staff.
Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, El Dorado (NAMI El Dorado) works tirelessly to educate, advocate, and collaborate with community partners, including El Dorado County, to improve the lives of people with mental illness and their loved ones.
HHSA is grateful to our community members, our community partners, and our mental health advocates for their tenacious and unrelenting spirit of educating others about mental health.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not receive the presentations or adopt the proclamation.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 05/04/2021, 21-0601, HHSA Mental Health Month Proclamation
2) 05/05/2020, 20-0534, HHSA Mental Health Month Proclamation
3) 05/14/2019, 19-0498, HHSA Mental Health Month Proclamation
4) 05/08/2018, 18-0602, HHSA Mental Health Month Proclamation
5) 05/17/2017, 17-0162, HHSA Mental Health Month Proclamation
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this proclamation.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Obtain the Chair’s signature on one (1) Proclamation.
2) Return the signed Proclamation to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
County Strategic Goal: “Healthy Communities.”
CONTACT
Daniel Del Monte, Interim Director