May is mental health awareness month and Ramsey County officials are spending it connecting people with mental health resources through a new outreach vehicle.

The vehicle, which was purchased using a one-time grant through the state, will be out in the community and at events to connect visitors with mental health resources and other county services.

“We want to bring awareness, we want to reduce stigma, and we want to increase access. And so we want to first use the vehicle as a tool, not just for Ramsey County, but for mental health services for all,” said Sophia Thompson, Ramsey County’s Social Services director. “The intent is not to just focus on the services that Ramsey County provides, but our valuable partners that we have in the community. We have so many other agencies that are providing mental health services, and we intend to partner with them.”

The main purpose of the vehicle will be providing mental health assessments, connection and resources, Thompson said. Assessments could take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, she said, with the focus on what people need in the moment and what clinicians the county can make available.

Assessments

The county is focusing on creating one-stop locations for multiple resources with the vehicle as well as its Clinic 555 — a vehicle which provides sexual and reproductive health resources, as well as a syringe service program, Thompson said. Usage of the vehicle will evolve based on community need and the county’s ability, she said.

“…There’s a plethora of options that come once the assessment is done, but the assessment is that starting place to determine what’s next,” Thompson said.

Through the vehicle, clients also can learn about other county resources, such as housing and financial resources.

“The reality is so many things impact your well being. So us being able to be that bridge to other services, we see that as really a benefit in what we’re trying to do,” said Kenya Walker, Ramsey County’s Social Services deputy director.

Though the plans for the vehicle are still in their early stages, county officials plan to eventually have telehealth appointments available on the vehicle, as well as video resources and other services.

“If you see us and you want to know a little bit more about what we’re doing, come over and talk to us,” said Ramsey County adult support manager Charles Goff. “It’s important for you to know about what we’re doing, and we want to normalize conversations around mental health, we want to be accessible to our community, and we want to educate those in the community about the things that we’re doing at Ramsey County.”

‘Restructure access to mental health services’

Those interested can also request having the vehicle at events or to visit their organization by going to the Ramsey County website.

“What’s really important to me is just that community knows that we are trying to think differently about how we engage with individuals around their well-being,” Walker said. “This is a pathway for us to do that. We are really trying to restructure access to mental health services or services in general.

Currently, county officials are taking the vehicle out into the community once a week, with plans to attend several events.

“It really is about trying to reduce the stigma around accessing support, and so we’re really going to try to meet people where they are,” Walker said.

People can submit name suggestions for the vehicle until May 25. The name will be announced on May 31 during Ramsey County’s Wellness in the Park event at Phalen Recreation Center. Vote at ramseycounty.us/content/name-our-new-mental-health-outreach-vehicle.

To learn more about the vehicle and time and locations it will visit, go to tinyurl.com/3adzddxh.