July 22, 2021 Meeting Summary

Presiding: Randi Downham

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan & Ron Van Ekeren

Professor’s Quote: Randi Downham

Introduction of Guests: Hanna Eslinger

Guests: Keith Downey introduced prospective member, Chet Lockard

Rotaract/Interact Students:

Foundation Drawing: Keith Downey won $10 with $39.50 in the jackpot.

O’Dwyers Drawing: Dave Krause

 

 

Rotarian of the Week: Kerry Greaser and Ken Patel nominated the bingo committee; Dave Krause nominated Dave Hansen for his time spent volunteering for Jubilee Days.     

 

Songs: The Band Played On; Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 

 

Introduction: Randi Downham

 

The Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers have 16 community health centers across Wyoming. Peak Wellness, which is now Volunteers for America, is one of these.

 

These are community-level centers that work with a regional network for services. It is difficult to provide full services at every location. The centers see about $100 million from the state for funding.

 

They offer mental health outpatient and residential and substance abuse outpatient and residential. There are many services across these four areas. The goal is to keep people in their communities to work through the crisis.

 

Ninety-five percent of services provided are for substance abuse residential and is provided by licensed health professionals. The centers work to keep people out of the justice system and try to help in the earlier stages for mental health and substance abuse.

There is not enough funding for this type of help in Wyoming because the state has high levels of mental health and substance abuse needs. Wyoming had 22 percent of residents in 2018-2019 that needed mental health help. Teens are even higher at 40 percent for anxiety and depression.

 

In FY19, the centers provided outpatient mental health services to 16,000 people and treated over 6,000 patients for substance abuse.

 

Since COVID-19, there has been a significant uptick in crisis. For example, Goshen County received 200 calls in a 7-day period, and new patients are coming in at a ratio of 2:1.

 

Wyoming is number 1 for suicides per capita, so 30 suicides per 100,000 people. This is extra high for the population size. WY has been in the top 3 for the last 20 years. There were 181 suicides in Wyoming in 2020. The pandemic has played a big role in these numbers.

 

There are several reasons Wyoming tends to rank so high. This includes that many small towns do not have resources to help; that Wyoming’s culture doesn’t allow people to ask for help; and uncertain economic factors. Instability related to jobs, housing, and financial stress can be triggers. Mental health also still has a heavy stigma.

 

Suicide prevention is facing budget costs and lack of funding. There is reform legislation coming down to make this more stable.

 

On July 1, 2022, there will be a new 3-digit suicide hotline number across the country. This number will be 988.

 

The idea is to have 24/7 coverage across the U.S. to help more people reach out to the right people. Many of these calls will be absolutely critical to responding to crisis.

 

The centers are looking at being able to offer mobile crisis response and more regional support. It will cost about $1.2 million to fund a 24/7 hotline every biennium. Mobile response coverage will cost an extra $10-$15 million.

 

There are current high levels of mental health stress in Wyoming. Alcohol is the number 1 addiction issue in Albany County, followed by meth. Opioids are also on the rise. The centers do not see much marijuana addiction.

 

Response: Randi Downham

 

Of the things we think, say, or do

•Is it the Truth?

•Is it Fair?

•Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?

•Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?

 

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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org