Carver County proclaims May 2026 National Mental Health Awareness Month; commissioners cite services and funding strains

Carver County on Monday adopted a proclamation declaring May 2026 as National Mental Health Awareness Month, as county staff and commissioners emphasized the prevalence of mental illness and the county’s role in providing crisis and supportive services.

A county presenter told the board that “one in five adults and one in six young people experience a mental health illness in any given year,” and outlined Carver County’s continuum of services, including outpatient therapy, school‑linked mental health services, adolescent day treatment, mobile crisis response in partnership with Canvas Health, substance‑use assessment and referral, and coordinated supports with corrections and the sheriff’s office. The presenter asked the board to approve the proclamation to raise awareness and connect residents with resources.

Commissioners framed the proclamation as both a public‑awareness effort and a reminder of operational pressures on local services. “This issue is the one that pervades just about everything that we do down here,” said Commissioner Workman, noting the breadth of staff — nurses, clinicians, social workers, crisis responders and law enforcement — who handle behavioral‑health needs. Another commissioner told the board that the state has reduced reimbursement rates for mental‑health services, a change they said worsens local funding challenges for care and staffing.

The board voted to approve the proclamation by voice vote. Commissioners and staff said the county must balance expanding access with the realities of budgets and workforce shortages. One commissioner described the county’s concerns about staffing in crisis roles and the difficulty recruiting co‑responders for overnight and late‑night shifts.

The proclamation and accompanying discussion also touched on loneliness and social isolation as drivers of poor mental health across age groups, and on local planning efforts to build community spaces (in parks and libraries) that support social connection for older adults and others. Board members encouraged continued advocacy for state funding and urged residents to learn where to find local supports.

The board did not adopt specific new funding at the meeting; commissioners said budget and staffing decisions would be addressed in future budget deliberations and through continued coordination with county behavioral‑health teams. The proclamation directs county staff to continue public education and community outreach during May and to maintain visibility of available services.