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Mental Health Local Advisory Council presents 2026 priorities; calls for greater outreach and inclusion
Summary
The Mental Health Local Advisory Council urged broader outreach and cultural inclusion, flagged social media and AI as growing risks to youth mental health and recommended expanding county media efforts to publicize available services.
The Scott County Mental Health Local Advisory Council presented its 2026 report to the county board on June 16, outlining priorities and calling for increased outreach and more inclusive engagement with diverse residents.
Lloyd Urb, chair of the council, said the group convened a range of partners and community voices to prioritize issues facing children and adults, and then used a voting process to select the council's top recommendations. The report highlights service expansions already in place (new mental health clinic locations, integrated health services and the Family Resource Center) and recommends stronger county communication to raise awareness of available services.
Council materials and presenters flagged social media and evolving AI features as an emerging contributor to worsening youth mental-health indicators; the council also noted disproportionate impacts on adults of color and immigrant communities, and urged culturally aware outreach and support. The council suggested county steps to encourage residents to have crisis plans and to train peers and students to recognize and respond to emotional crises.
Commissioners thanked the council for the report and for the committee's community outreach; several commissioners noted the value of youth voices on the advisory body and accepted the report as an informational item with no action required.
Next steps: commissioners and staff said they will review the written priorities and consider how the county can amplify service information through media channels and integrate council recommendations into ongoing mental-health planning.
