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May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health is important to address year-round, Mental Health Awareness Month provides a dedicated time for people, organizations, and communities to join their voices to broadcast the message that mental health matters.
Did you know? According to the Minnesota Student Survey, Steele County students have reported an increase in mental health problems from 18% in 2016 to 29% in 2022. Additionally, in 2022, 27% of students reported self-harm and 29% reported suicide ideation. We must come together as a community to prioritize mental health awareness, emphasizing that it's never too late to get help. Talking to teens about mental health promotes healthy mental development, and teaching them coping skills helps with managing stress effectively. It's also important to promote culturally appropriate resources and create inclusive spaces to support individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups and LGBTQIA+ individuals, who often face mental health problems at higher rates.
Together, let's make this Mental Health Awareness Month a time of education, support, and action to create lasting positive change for everyone, regardless of age, background, or identity. Here are some actions you can take for yourself, others, and the community:
- Find ways to manage stress, connect with others, and make time for activities and people that bring you joy.
- Check in on friends, listen without judgment, and offer a helping hand.
- Get involved in community initiatives that promote mental health, whether it's volunteering, advocating for better resources, or just being there for someone in need.
To learn more about mental health, click the button below to watch the latest Health Talk episode! This month, our health educator interviews two professionals from the South Central Human Relations Center about all things mental health.
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Minnesota Prairie County Alliance (MNPrairie) is a county human services organization that provides the full array of public human service programs for Dodge, Steele, and Waseca counties.
MNPrairie has partnered with CredibleMind, a digital platform that provides expert-curated and scientifically-backed mental health and self-care resources, to bring you free and confidential access to its expansive library of credible resources. Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, or just want to tackle that “something-isn’t-right” feeling, CredibleMind offers podcasts, apps, articles, and videos to help you on your personal self-care journey.
Using CredibleMind, you’ll have access to:
- Over a dozen scientifically-proven assessments that help you understand your own mental health strengths, challenges, and growth areas, covering topics like anxiety, depression, burnout, and substance use.
- Thousands of expert-reviewed apps, podcasts, books, articles, and videos across hundreds of mental health topics.
- Tools that help you focus on building skills to thrive mentally and emotionally at work, with family, friends, and in your community.
Get started today by taking the Mental Health Check-in Assessment and be entered to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
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South Central Human Relations Center (SCHRC)
Founded in 1964, the South Central Human Relations Center is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the mental and behavioral health needs of individuals, couples, and families in south central Minnesota, with offices in Steele, Dodge, and Waseca Counties. They provide hope and healing, and work to provide people with the access they need to thrive, live confidently, and contribute to healthier, more resilient society.
In 2021, SCHRC changed its model of care and became a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) – an integrated model of care ensuring access to coordinated comprehensive behavioral health care. They continue to offer outpatient counseling services, including individual, family, couples and group therapy, psychiatry, and the convenience of an in-house pharmacy just for clients. Additionally, SCHRC offers a broad range of community support services such as Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Services and Mental Health Case Management to all age groups. Their staff collaborates with a variety of organizations to help provide the best possible support system for their clients.
The South Central Human Relations Center works to end homelessness by providing a variety of services across a five-county area for people currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Services include outreach, case management, stabilization services, and permanent supportive housing.
Lastly, SCHRC offers 24/7 mobile crisis response services. Mobile crisis teams complete comprehensive crisis assessments, which are evaluations providing immediate intervention to aid the individual in using situational de-escalation, safety planning, and coordination with other local providers, including residential crisis centers and emergency rooms.
Contact SCHRC during business hours at: 507-451-2630 or 1-800-722-0590. They are located at 610 Florence Ave in Owatonna, 204 2nd St NW in Waseca, and 17 5th St SE in Kasson. Follow the SCHRC Facebook Page to stay up to date with additional news and resources!
For 24 hour, 365 days a year mobile crisis response, please call: 844-CRISIS2 (844-274-7472).
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Empowering Women, Cultivating Health:
Celebrating Voices, Wellness, and Resilience
Every May beginning on Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health leads National Women’s Health Week (NWHW).
This observance aims to highlight women’s health issues and priorities and encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Join us in this uplifting journey as we dive into everything that makes women’s health so important!
This year’s theme is dedicated to empowering women to take charge of their health journeys and shining a light on health issues unique to women. We’re celebrating the strength and determination of women who have taken control of their health and fostering an environment where all women feel supported and empowered to speak up about their health needs and concerns. NWHW 2024 encourages women to engage in healthy practices, access preventive care, and share their health experiences to inspire others.
Each day of this observance week spotlights a different and timely women’s health topic including Maternal Mental Health, Preventive Care, Heart Health, and more! Follow the Steele County Facebook page to learn more about these topics throughout the week.
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Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10)
Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) celebrated Air Quality Awareness Week. The theme this year, “Knowing Your Air,” encourages everyone to take action and incorporate air quality knowledge into their daily lives. Increase your air quality awareness and encourage others to do the same.
Air Quality Awareness Week provides an opportunity for people to learn about what causes poor air quality and how people can prepare for, and respond to, events and environments with poor air quality – not just during the month of May, but year-round!
Be aware and be prepared!
Poor air quality affects all of us, but Minnesota's most vulnerable populations – seniors, the poor, people without health insurance, and people with chronic health conditions – experience greater impacts. Breathing polluted air creates or worsens health conditions such as asthma, COPD, and heart disease. Follow these steps to protect your health:
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 FREE Radon Test Kits at SCPH
Radon is a dangerous gas that you cannot see or smell. Long-term exposure to this gas can lead to lung cancer. The only way to know is by testing your home for radon, a recommendation for everyone living in Minnesota.
In Steele County, 61% of homes have high levels of radon. Pick up your FREE Radon Test Kit from Steele County Public Health (635 Florence Ave) during our business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Feel free to view these resources from the Minnesota Department of Health:
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Help OHS Thriving Minds raise awareness about mental health in our community by joining their free community walk on Sunday, May 19th at 6:00 PM!
The walk will start at Morehouse Park (350 W School St), go to Lake Kohlmeier, then return to the park.
Thriving Minds is a mental health club through Owatonna High School, created by a group of students who want to spread awareness and break the stigma around mental health. Check out and follow their Instagram and Facebook!
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This year, Steele County Public Health will be conducting our next Community Health Assessment (CHA) to collect information about the health needs of people who live, learn, work, play, and worship in Steele County. Required by law every five years, this assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of local health issues, priorities, and resources.
We're thrilled to engage with Steele County residents to delve deeper into our community's health priorities and needs. We're committed to utilizing this data to create a Community Health Improvement Plan that effectively addresses the diverse health challenges faced by our community, striving for our vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities.
To gain insight into our ongoing efforts, take a look at our 2020-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan. Keep an eye out for upcoming opportunities to participate in this data collection process for our Community Health Assessment, including surveys, focus groups, listening sessions, and community meetings. We look forward to collaborating with YOU in building a healthier Steele County, driven by the needs and priorities of our community.
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Steele County Public Health (SCPH) is dedicated to preventing disease, promoting wellness, and protecting the health of Steele County residents through a variety of services such as family health programs, immunization clinics, and home health care. SCPH also provides resources for radon and water testing, health education, and emergency preparedness to realize its vision of Healthy People in Healthy Communities. |
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