Patty Bowler

Yeah. I would echo what Cara said. Um, so, uh, we haven't really talked about our internal trauma informed work much, but, um, Cara is going to be she is leading a leadership team. So one of the seven steps of becoming a trauma informed organization is to pull together champions in the department. And they aren't necessarily like in leadership positions. It's it's all across the department.

Yeah. I would echo what Cara said. Um, so, uh, we haven't really talked about our internal trauma informed work much, but, um, Cara is going to be she is leading a leadership team. So one of the seven steps of becoming a trauma informed organization is to pull together champions in the department. And they aren't necessarily like in leadership positions. It's it's all across the department.

So we have an administrative support people involved. We've got some program staff. We've got some finance staff. We have some leadership. but it's to really work with that leadership team. We've been on this journey since 2019, but you know, like 2020 happened and Stan knows this.

So we have an administrative support people involved. We've got some program staff. We've got some finance staff. We have some leadership. but it's to really work with that leadership team. We've been on this journey since 2019, but you know, like 2020 happened and Stan knows this.

I mean, you're just the pandemic and everybody knows this, but if you're in public health, the pandemic, we just had to stop everything and focus on the pandemic. And one thing I will really say, I'm sorry, I'm deviating from your question, Clarence, but we, mental wellbeing was such a huge thing during the pandemic. And we as a health department were We felt inadequate to address it.

I mean, you're just the pandemic and everybody knows this, but if you're in public health, the pandemic, we just had to stop everything and focus on the pandemic. And one thing I will really say, I'm sorry, I'm deviating from your question, Clarence, but we, mental wellbeing was such a huge thing during the pandemic. And we as a health department were We felt inadequate to address it.

I just have to say that. And so we're grateful now that CDC and others have recognized that they need to fund public health more robustly in order for us to do this work. But so, yes.

I just have to say that. And so we're grateful now that CDC and others have recognized that they need to fund public health more robustly in order for us to do this work. But so, yes.

Yeah, so thanks for that question. Well, clearly prevention. I mean, that's what public health is all about. But I will say, so we run a network of eight school-based clinics in eight high school settings, and we offer therapy to our students. And when I first started a long time ago, school, our school based clinics, by the way, have been operational for 40 years.

Yeah, so thanks for that question. Well, clearly prevention. I mean, that's what public health is all about. But I will say, so we run a network of eight school-based clinics in eight high school settings, and we offer therapy to our students. And when I first started a long time ago, school, our school based clinics, by the way, have been operational for 40 years.

And, you know, we're one of the leaders in the country around school based health care. But but when those clinics first started, they were really focused on medical care, physical care, reproductive health care. Over time, we've really realized that mental health is a huge concern. So we're focusing in our school-based clinics.

And, you know, we're one of the leaders in the country around school based health care. But but when those clinics first started, they were really focused on medical care, physical care, reproductive health care. Over time, we've really realized that mental health is a huge concern. So we're focusing in our school-based clinics.

We do provide the medical care, but a big part of our portfolio of services is around mental health. So Stan, we are doing that because that's one of our direct services that we're providing. And I have to give a shout out to the mayor and the city council because

We do provide the medical care, but a big part of our portfolio of services is around mental health. So Stan, we are doing that because that's one of our direct services that we're providing. And I have to give a shout out to the mayor and the city council because

They provided some funding through ARPA dollars to help fund some therapists of color in our clinics and also through the through the general fund through property tax dollars to help us fund therapy. What we were finding is like November would roll around and our therapists would be full. And so we had to turn kids away, which is heartbreaking.

They provided some funding through ARPA dollars to help fund some therapists of color in our clinics and also through the through the general fund through property tax dollars to help us fund therapy. What we were finding is like November would roll around and our therapists would be full. And so we had to turn kids away, which is heartbreaking.

So we were able to get some resources through our city leadership in order to provide that one-on-one therapy through our school-based clinics. So I just wanted to mention that, but yes, clearly we're also in the realm of prevention and that's somewhat new work for us. I also want to say that we're embarking on a new community health assessment.

So we were able to get some resources through our city leadership in order to provide that one-on-one therapy through our school-based clinics. So I just wanted to mention that, but yes, clearly we're also in the realm of prevention and that's somewhat new work for us. I also want to say that we're embarking on a new community health assessment.

That's that every three year process where we try to understand community needs and our evaluation and research staff that are working with Hennepin County and the city of Bloomington to do this Hennepin County wide assessment. I know that mental well, they really want to dig into mental wellbeing and they want to focus on connectedness because we know that that's one of the factors.

That's that every three year process where we try to understand community needs and our evaluation and research staff that are working with Hennepin County and the city of Bloomington to do this Hennepin County wide assessment. I know that mental well, they really want to dig into mental wellbeing and they want to focus on connectedness because we know that that's one of the factors.

That's one of the assets that communities members can use to address mental wellbeing. So does that answer your question?

That's one of the assets that communities members can use to address mental wellbeing. So does that answer your question?

Yeah. I, yeah. You know, we like to be on the creative edge.

Yeah. I, yeah. You know, we like to be on the creative edge.

Regarding this work, I think we're, we're doing some catch up because we're a midsize city, but yet we, we want to play in the sandbox with the big cities and we're part of the big cities health coalition. And so when we first actually during the pandemic we, we really wanted to better understand what's happening across the country with what health departments are doing around mental health.

Regarding this work, I think we're, we're doing some catch up because we're a midsize city, but yet we, we want to play in the sandbox with the big cities and we're part of the big cities health coalition. And so when we first actually during the pandemic we, we really wanted to better understand what's happening across the country with what health departments are doing around mental health.

And so I initiated phone calls and interviews with four health departments. And big health departments learned that they were much bigger than we were. We've got like 150 employees. Some of those folks are seasonal techs, so they're not permanent employees. I was talking to New York City, Chicago, Seattle, King County. They have, honestly, thousands of employees.

And so I initiated phone calls and interviews with four health departments. And big health departments learned that they were much bigger than we were. We've got like 150 employees. Some of those folks are seasonal techs, so they're not permanent employees. I was talking to New York City, Chicago, Seattle, King County. They have, honestly, thousands of employees.

Um, so they have, their capacity is much greater than ours, but, um, certainly mental health is, it's a huge issue for everybody in every community. However, because we're Minneapolis and we had the civil and the murder of George Floyd, um, the civil unrest, I think that has really, um, we're struggling, uh, even more so. Um, and, uh, so.

Um, so they have, their capacity is much greater than ours, but, um, certainly mental health is, it's a huge issue for everybody in every community. However, because we're Minneapolis and we had the civil and the murder of George Floyd, um, the civil unrest, I think that has really, um, we're struggling, uh, even more so. Um, and, uh, so.

what we learned from other health departments is that, you know, they're doing the work, they've got more resources, but we are also trying to kind of emulate some of the cool things that they're doing. And one thing we heard is that they're becoming trauma-informed organizations and they're also helping their community partners with that work.

what we learned from other health departments is that, you know, they're doing the work, they've got more resources, but we are also trying to kind of emulate some of the cool things that they're doing. And one thing we heard is that they're becoming trauma-informed organizations and they're also helping their community partners with that work.

So I think it's Chicago has quite a model to like create cohorts with community partners and we want to get there as well.

So I think it's Chicago has quite a model to like create cohorts with community partners and we want to get there as well.

Yeah. Thank you. So I think it's, you know, helping us get data, participate in the community health assessment that we're doing. That would be, I think, really important. Letting us know that you're interested in partnering with us or, you know, we can reach out. But as I mentioned, we did fund 14 organizations to do mental wellbeing work. And we're gonna be issuing another RFP in September.

Yeah. Thank you. So I think it's, you know, helping us get data, participate in the community health assessment that we're doing. That would be, I think, really important. Letting us know that you're interested in partnering with us or, you know, we can reach out. But as I mentioned, we did fund 14 organizations to do mental wellbeing work. And we're gonna be issuing another RFP in September.

And we'd love to partner with more organizations. We're a heavily grant funded health department. So we have to like, you know, get more resources in order to get the resources out to the community. But we know the community knows the most about what's happening. And so, yes, I think partnering with government is really, really important.

And we'd love to partner with more organizations. We're a heavily grant funded health department. So we have to like, you know, get more resources in order to get the resources out to the community. But we know the community knows the most about what's happening. And so, yes, I think partnering with government is really, really important.

Yeah, that's a really good, I mean, again, that's a huge question, Stan, I think. So I just wanted to say the data that you provided, I think that's right on. It's what one in five of us will experience a mental health crisis or whatever incident in our lives. I mean, it's so, so common. And I think normalizing

Yeah, that's a really good, I mean, again, that's a huge question, Stan, I think. So I just wanted to say the data that you provided, I think that's right on. It's what one in five of us will experience a mental health crisis or whatever incident in our lives. I mean, it's so, so common. And I think normalizing

mental health and mental well-being and reducing stigma I mean you've heard that probably from many other people but I think that is is a really important first step and so we this is just one little thing but we tried to draw attention to May is mental health awareness month so we tried to draw attention to mental health through a series of activities that we

mental health and mental well-being and reducing stigma I mean you've heard that probably from many other people but I think that is is a really important first step and so we this is just one little thing but we tried to draw attention to May is mental health awareness month so we tried to draw attention to mental health through a series of activities that we

spearheaded or kind of tried to pull under a broader umbrella to draw attention to mental health in Minneapolis. And I know that many others did that as well across the country, but that's just one slice of something that we've been able to do. I'm really hoping though with Cara her new role that she'll help to strengthen whatever we're doing as a health department around mental well-being.

spearheaded or kind of tried to pull under a broader umbrella to draw attention to mental health in Minneapolis. And I know that many others did that as well across the country, but that's just one slice of something that we've been able to do. I'm really hoping though with Cara her new role that she'll help to strengthen whatever we're doing as a health department around mental well-being.

Because in the past, you know, it's been kind of like a piece of somebody's job in the health department, but now we have somebody who can really focus on it. And so Cara's connecting with others, certainly others in the Minnesota Department of Health, community partners, NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Illness. We're so fortunate in Minnesota to have such a strong chapter.

Because in the past, you know, it's been kind of like a piece of somebody's job in the health department, but now we have somebody who can really focus on it. And so Cara's connecting with others, certainly others in the Minnesota Department of Health, community partners, NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Illness. We're so fortunate in Minnesota to have such a strong chapter.

So we're really trying to figure out what role does the Minneapolis Health Department play. We are partners in a planning grant that Hennepin County just received. I think it was funded by the state around suicide prevention. So you know, there's, there's a lot of work to do. And we'll have, have us back in like a year.

So we're really trying to figure out what role does the Minneapolis Health Department play. We are partners in a planning grant that Hennepin County just received. I think it was funded by the state around suicide prevention. So you know, there's, there's a lot of work to do. And we'll have, have us back in like a year.

Oh my gosh. Doubtful.

Oh my gosh. Doubtful.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I'm going to, yeah, I think that's really key, but I'm going to punt that one over to Cara because she's been involved a lot in recovery.

I'm going to, yeah, I think that's really key, but I'm going to punt that one over to Cara because she's been involved a lot in recovery.

Oh, for sure. And so, Stan, we're embedded within one of the Minneapolis public school high schools. And so we work a lot with school social workers and other school staff. So just so you know that we try to work as a team within the high school setting. So That is super important for us to do and to obviously our therapists are seasoned and they know about the various resources.

Oh, for sure. And so, Stan, we're embedded within one of the Minneapolis public school high schools. And so we work a lot with school social workers and other school staff. So just so you know that we try to work as a team within the high school setting. So That is super important for us to do and to obviously our therapists are seasoned and they know about the various resources.

And just another component of this, Stan, is the social determinants of health. So that's a big driver of why people are struggling with mental health. So as public health, and it's not easy, but what do we do about homelessness or lack of housing? Cara mentioned the big bowl of spaghetti, you know, that it's trauma drives homelessness. substance abuse.

And just another component of this, Stan, is the social determinants of health. So that's a big driver of why people are struggling with mental health. So as public health, and it's not easy, but what do we do about homelessness or lack of housing? Cara mentioned the big bowl of spaghetti, you know, that it's trauma drives homelessness. substance abuse.

Substance abuse can drive more homelessness. And so really understanding how the social determinants of health impact mental well-being is key. And how do we as health departments, which we're not always funded to work on social determinants of health, how do we do that work? I would say the COVID pandemic, it did have its silver lining.

Substance abuse can drive more homelessness. And so really understanding how the social determinants of health impact mental well-being is key. And how do we as health departments, which we're not always funded to work on social determinants of health, how do we do that work? I would say the COVID pandemic, it did have its silver lining.

and we beyond mental health you know it it catapulted us into as a health department working on food insecurity so we were able to direct food insecurity resources to some of our community partners i wish we had more funding for that but we try to work within our own structure our own city structure to really figure out how do we address housing how do we address unemployment?

and we beyond mental health you know it it catapulted us into as a health department working on food insecurity so we were able to direct food insecurity resources to some of our community partners i wish we had more funding for that but we try to work within our own structure our own city structure to really figure out how do we address housing how do we address unemployment?

How do we address education? So it's just another component of the mental health work.

How do we address education? So it's just another component of the mental health work.

Can I mention one quick thing?

Can I mention one quick thing?

I know we're wrapping up, but so public health, we provide family home visiting. This is for pregnant and parenting families. And that is such a huge intervention because we're really helping. We're addressing health concerns, but we're also addressing parenting concerns. And again, if you can intervene early,

I know we're wrapping up, but so public health, we provide family home visiting. This is for pregnant and parenting families. And that is such a huge intervention because we're really helping. We're addressing health concerns, but we're also addressing parenting concerns. And again, if you can intervene early,

that is so, so important and can potentially help ameliorate some of the ACEs that Cara has been talking about.

that is so, so important and can potentially help ameliorate some of the ACEs that Cara has been talking about.

Yeah, thank you for having us on. And I echo Cara's remarks. I would just say that organizations like the Minneapolis Health Department, we have to make sure that we're a healthy organization internally and that we've got our house in order regarding understanding trauma in order to also be good community partners.

Yeah, thank you for having us on. And I echo Cara's remarks. I would just say that organizations like the Minneapolis Health Department, we have to make sure that we're a healthy organization internally and that we've got our house in order regarding understanding trauma in order to also be good community partners.

And I would also encourage community partners and other units of government to think about that as well.

And I would also encourage community partners and other units of government to think about that as well.

Yeah, thank you, Clarence. And first of all, I just want to say that we're excited to be on the podcast. So I am a big fan of Clarence and all the work that he's done over the many years and the human partnership. And certainly Stan just contributed so much to our state as a Minnesota Department of Health partner. So thank you for having us this morning. We really appreciate it.

Yeah, thank you, Clarence. And first of all, I just want to say that we're excited to be on the podcast. So I am a big fan of Clarence and all the work that he's done over the many years and the human partnership. And certainly Stan just contributed so much to our state as a Minnesota Department of Health partner. So thank you for having us this morning. We really appreciate it.

being on this show or the podcast and talking about at least what one governmental partner can do. And that's the Minneapolis Health Department around mental well-being. And so just a little background. We've known that mental well-being in our community is a huge concern. And we, every three years we do what's called the community health assessment. And we're required to do that.

being on this show or the podcast and talking about at least what one governmental partner can do. And that's the Minneapolis Health Department around mental well-being. And so just a little background. We've known that mental well-being in our community is a huge concern. And we, every three years we do what's called the community health assessment. And we're required to do that.

We're an accredited health department and beyond the requirement, it's just a really good thing to assess community needs every, every, you know, so often. So what we've learned over and over again is mental health and mental wellbeing is super important for us as a local public health department to get involved in and pay attention to. But here's the kicker. We haven't always had the resources.

We're an accredited health department and beyond the requirement, it's just a really good thing to assess community needs every, every, you know, so often. So what we've learned over and over again is mental health and mental wellbeing is super important for us as a local public health department to get involved in and pay attention to. But here's the kicker. We haven't always had the resources.

We do provide mental health therapy through our school based clinics. And I hope to get into that a little bit later in the podcast. But what we're really focused on is what do we do from like a population health or community health perspective around mental health? And so. because of the pandemic, we were able to secure some new funding that came from the CDC.

We do provide mental health therapy through our school based clinics. And I hope to get into that a little bit later in the podcast. But what we're really focused on is what do we do from like a population health or community health perspective around mental health? And so. because of the pandemic, we were able to secure some new funding that came from the CDC.

So I think the CDC and our governmental leaders really at all levels recognized how important public health is in shoring up community health and well-being. And so we were able to get a workforce grant through the CDC. Again, it's COVID money.

So I think the CDC and our governmental leaders really at all levels recognized how important public health is in shoring up community health and well-being. And so we were able to get a workforce grant through the CDC. Again, it's COVID money.

And we used part of that workforce grant to hire Cara to serve in the role of somebody who could really be a point person around community mental well-being for a health department. And so that's her role. And that's huge because mental health we need to define it better. It's a huge topic area. So that's part of Cara's work. She's putting together a work plan.

And we used part of that workforce grant to hire Cara to serve in the role of somebody who could really be a point person around community mental well-being for a health department. And so that's her role. And that's huge because mental health we need to define it better. It's a huge topic area. So that's part of Cara's work. She's putting together a work plan.

And then secondly, beyond that, we wanna become a trauma-informed health department. And I know I want to talk about that in more detail later on in the podcast, but we know that we can't really serve our community who has been traumatized in so many ways unless we understand as a health department what trauma is, what the impacts are, and how it even affects our own staff.

And then secondly, beyond that, we wanna become a trauma-informed health department. And I know I want to talk about that in more detail later on in the podcast, but we know that we can't really serve our community who has been traumatized in so many ways unless we understand as a health department what trauma is, what the impacts are, and how it even affects our own staff.

who are reflective of the community. So Cara is also helping us become a trauma-informed health department. So those are really kind of the two parts of her job, you know, the community mental well-being piece, and then also the trauma-informed, helping us become a trauma-informed organization.

who are reflective of the community. So Cara is also helping us become a trauma-informed health department. So those are really kind of the two parts of her job, you know, the community mental well-being piece, and then also the trauma-informed, helping us become a trauma-informed organization.

Yeah, that is the million dollar question, isn't it, Stan? I mean, I would say public health, we're very disease specific and a lot of times our funding is disease specific. So, you know, we'll focus in on diabetes and we know that so many chronic conditions, we can trace them back to mental health conditions. So it's all interconnected.

Yeah, that is the million dollar question, isn't it, Stan? I mean, I would say public health, we're very disease specific and a lot of times our funding is disease specific. So, you know, we'll focus in on diabetes and we know that so many chronic conditions, we can trace them back to mental health conditions. So it's all interconnected.

So I would say, number one, it's how do we as a public health department understand trauma? And that would be a place for us to start, I think. Minneapolis has gone through a lot with COVID and then the civil unrest. So I think we're starting with what is our understanding of trauma? And then I would also say We as a health department, one of our core values is to partner with community.

So I would say, number one, it's how do we as a public health department understand trauma? And that would be a place for us to start, I think. Minneapolis has gone through a lot with COVID and then the civil unrest. So I think we're starting with what is our understanding of trauma? And then I would also say We as a health department, one of our core values is to partner with community.

And so we really need to work with our community partners to better understand mental health. And Stan, one thing I'm... cognizant of is, you know, there's mental health treatment, like therapy, one-on-one therapy, and that is super, super important. But it's also like, what do we do in the broader community?

And so we really need to work with our community partners to better understand mental health. And Stan, one thing I'm... cognizant of is, you know, there's mental health treatment, like therapy, one-on-one therapy, and that is super, super important. But it's also like, what do we do in the broader community?

And so we recently provided funding to 14 community-based organizations for them to provide mental well-being supports to in the community. And that could be things like healing circles. We worked with Black Family Blueprint just recently, and they did a series of healing circles with African American mothers in the community.

And so we recently provided funding to 14 community-based organizations for them to provide mental well-being supports to in the community. And that could be things like healing circles. We worked with Black Family Blueprint just recently, and they did a series of healing circles with African American mothers in the community.

We're working, I don't know if you're familiar with the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute, but they are working with community or neighborhood organizations such as the Central Neighborhood Association and the neighborhood around George Floyd Square to really understand trauma and what the impacts are. of trauma have been.

We're working, I don't know if you're familiar with the Minnesota Peacebuilding Leadership Institute, but they are working with community or neighborhood organizations such as the Central Neighborhood Association and the neighborhood around George Floyd Square to really understand trauma and what the impacts are. of trauma have been.

So part of Cara's work is to put together a work plan on behalf of our health department to kind of figure out, you know, how do we do a little bit more laser focus on community mental well-being. I mean, it's so vast. It's like chronic disease prevention. It's suicide prevention. It's trauma. It's a billion things.

So part of Cara's work is to put together a work plan on behalf of our health department to kind of figure out, you know, how do we do a little bit more laser focus on community mental well-being. I mean, it's so vast. It's like chronic disease prevention. It's suicide prevention. It's trauma. It's a billion things.

And so just the other point that I want to, based on what the work that I do as somebody who works on policy, Beyond kind of the programmatic approach, are there policy things that we can do in Minneapolis to improve mental well-being? And I can't tell you exactly what that is because we're on that journey. But I see Clarence has his hand raised.

And so just the other point that I want to, based on what the work that I do as somebody who works on policy, Beyond kind of the programmatic approach, are there policy things that we can do in Minneapolis to improve mental well-being? And I can't tell you exactly what that is because we're on that journey. But I see Clarence has his hand raised.