Going public: Mental health for everyone

At MHS, our compassion is not limited to our offices. We’re citizens of a larger community, and a purposeful part of the greater good. From volunteer hours and financial support to advocacy for important causes, we’re always looking to make a difference.

St Mary’s scholarship

MHS provides an annual scholarship to the St. Mary’s College for students that are under-represented in the mental health provider ranks. There are two scholarships awarded each year and reports from the recipients clearly state how helpful it has been to them as they enter the profession.

Corporate Sponsorship of TOPSoccer Minnesota (The Outreach Program for Soccer)

This is a national soccer program for youth and adults with physical and cognitive challenges. TOPSoccer gives these athletes the opportunity to play a game, on a team, like so many of their siblings and friends.

We’re proud to be the Corporate Sponsor of TOPSoccer MN.

Area High School Sports Sponsorships

MHS is sponsoring athletic programs for the 2022-2023 school year at two local high schools – Mounds View High School and Eagan High School. Both schools have taken steps to support the mental health of their students:

Mounds View High school took action by launching the Be Kind To Your Mind series – a collection of videos written by students addressing topics like balance, competition, and success. Taken a step further, students also wrote positive mental health messages for large floor decals to remind them that help is all around them.

Eagan High School shares an in depth list of mental health resources on their website for students and families. Additionally, the EHS boys hockey team holds an annual Mental Health Awareness Night. This year the event partnered with the Jordyn Clark Foundation for suicide prevention.

MHS staff are all given work flexibility and a floating holiday to pursue their own volunteer interests in the community.  Examples of volunteering have been assisting with meeting the food needs of communities, collecting and distributing needed resources, and speaking to community groups about mental health (to educate and reduce stigma).

Through local, regional, national, and even international presentations regarding the work we do.

Advocacy

MHS staff and leadership participate in local advocacy groups with the mission to better serve the needs of people of our region.  Some examples of this participation include membership in the Mental Health Legislative Network, professional association legislative and other committees, membership in the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health, and leadership of a mental health focused Political Action Committee to name a few.

Uganda clinic

We are actively supporting the efforts of a former MHS practicum student in the creation of a much-needed mental health clinic in the Uganda capital city of Kampala.  We have provided both material as well as ongoing consultative support as she moves forward with this venture.

Creating better ways

MHS has in its DNA the drive to create new and better ways to serve the needs of our community.  To that end, each of our programs came to be because of a need in the community.  MHS continues on that path.

Additionally, we are looking for ways to participate in and influence the conversation about health care and health care reform.  This has most recently taken place in the form of a series of presentations to national leaders in Managed Care on the ways in which mental and behavioral health can play a pivotal role in creating better more effective health care systems.