Live United by Ann Austin

Ann Austin is the executive director of the United Way of Freeborn County.

Mental health is a growing concern in our nation and in our community. According to the Centers for Disease Control, only about 17 percent of U.S. adults are considered to be in a state of optimal mental health.

In contrast to this, depression alone impacts more than 26 percent of the adult population and is estimated to become the second leading cause of disability by 2020.

In addition, mental disorders are strongly related to the occurrence and successful treatment of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma and obesity and risk factors for diseases such as smoking, excessive drinking and insufficient sleep.

Freeborn County is fortunate to have a phenomenal mental health center through the local Department of Human Services as well as other programs such as the Next Step Clubhouse and a mental health support group that meets once a week.

Our community has several committees that meet on a regular basis to determine how to better address mental health needs.

The committee I’m part of is focused on building community awareness of mental health resources, reducing the stigma associated with mental illness and providing educational opportunities.

Recently we worked to bring a Gray Matters training to the community at the end of May. The training focused on anxiety, depression and co-occurring disorders for our aging population. We were pleased how well it was attended and the variety of participants.

The trainers were from a group called NAMI Minnesota, which stands for National Alliance on Mental Illness.

From their web site: NAMI Minnesota is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. NAMI Minnesota offers education, support and advocacy. NAMI Minnesota vigorously promotes the development of community mental health programs and services, improved access to services, increased opportunities for recovery, reduced stigma and discrimination, and increased public understanding of mental illness.

Our community has partnered with NAMI Minnesota since 2013. We have had such a positive experience, we decided to begin an affiliation process to ensure sustainability of local efforts. There are affiliates in Rochester and Mankato — so our involvement would create a stronger network throughout southern Minnesota.

Community members may elect to become part of the network through an application process and for a minimal fee to NAMI — more information is on their web site: http://www.namihelps.org/about-nami/membership.html.

Information will also be available at an event that will be next week. In celebration of NAMI Minnesota’s 40th anniversary, key mental health reform leader Sue Abderholden will visit Albert Lea on Wednesday to highlight the progress that has been made and gain perspective from local community members about ways to improve the mental health system. The event will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Freeborn County Government Center in the county board room (411 S. Broadway Ave.).

Registration is recommended: https://40yearsalbertlea8-24.eventbrite.com. Refreshments will be provided.

If you are unable to attend but would like to get more involved in local efforts, please contact me at 507-373-8670 or feel free to participate in upcoming events. A training on suicide prevention is planned for this fall.

The local Connection Support Group meets from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Next Step Clubhouse (216 S. Washington Ave.). For more information about this group, please contact Sara at 507-377-5483.