Peace Garden News

North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong has proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month. The North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) is focusing on mental health awareness, advocating for the strengthening of personal relationships through the "Nurture Your Network" initiative. This program encourages open dialogue and support among community members.

"Mental health is just as vital as physical health at every stage of life," says HHS Behavioral Health Clinical Director Shauna Eberhardt. Emphasizing the importance of discussing mental health openly, Eberhardt states, "Mental illness is treatable, and with the right resources, people can and do thrive."

Engagement in supportive conversations is key, with suggestions such as, "I care about you and want to listen. What do you want me to know about how you’re feeling?" Eberhardt reassures that talking about suicide does not induce suicidal thoughts but provides an opportunity to support those in distress.

Data from the 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows that 25.95% of North Dakota adults experienced mental illness in the past year. The 2023 North Dakota Youth and Behavioral Survey indicates that 35% of high school students felt sad or hopeless.

State-operated behavioral health clinics have delivered 300,000 services from July 2023 to December 2024 for mental health support. HHS promotes early intervention, a strategy that can improve recovery statistics from mental health conditions.

HHS provides resources including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a 24/7 support network for those experiencing a crisis or emotional distress. They also offer a Mental Health Program Directory, which assists in locating mental health services across 306 locations in the state.

To ensure mental health services are accessible, HHS operates eight human service centers offering crisis support and various therapeutic services. Additional support is available through economic assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC.

For workplace mental health, HHS has a behavioral health hub providing resources for managing mental health and substance use disorders. Parents Lead is another initiative that supports parental communication with children about mental health and making healthy choices.

Further, the Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Program supports first responders and healthcare professionals affected by traumatic events through peer support and crisis intervention initiatives.