Blue Earth County Human Services reports higher mental-health caseloads, civil-commitment activity and clinic statistics

Blue Earth County Human Services presented an extended informational report at the May 27 meeting outlining adult and children’s mental-health services, case management caseloads, civil-commitment screening activity and program developments including the county’s Second Step Clubhouse.

Human Services lead Angela Youngerberg told the board that the county’s mental-health center provides regional psychiatry services (to a 10-county South Central community-based initiative) and clinic therapy services for Blue Earth County residents. Staff reported about 1,200–1,500 unduplicated patients served annually, roughly 617 clinic appointments per month and about 28 new patients entering services monthly. Therapy wait lists were reported at 14 people; staff noted a regionally unusual clinic model that emphasizes medication services because of high local demand for prescribers.

Youngerber…