Summit County Mental Wellness Alliance asking for community input
Park City, Utah (August 9, 2017) — In preparation for presenting its Strategic Directives to County and City councils, the Summit County Mental Wellness Alliance is holding three public meetings across the county to gather feedback. This input will help tailor mental health services and substance abuse recovery and prevention efforts to best meet the needs of residents.
“Our county is diverse and we want the Strategic Plan to reflect the unique needs of our various communities,” Summit County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Coordinator, Aaron Newman, said. “This plan isn’t meant to be one-size-fits-all, it’s meant to address the specific concerns of residents in North Summit, South Summit and Park City.”
The Summit County Mental Wellness and Substance Abuse Strategic Plan consists of five strategic directives related to mental health and substance abuse:
- Expand Community access to mental wellness on substance abuse programs and services within Summit County.
- Increase community awareness and education around mental wellness and substance abuse within Summit County.
- Ensure success and sustainability of mental wellness and substance abuse programs and services within Summit County.
- Establish systems within Summit County to support life after recovery and reintegration within the community.
- Ensure parity of mental wellness and substance abuse services and programs for Spanish-speaking community members.
Public input meetings will be held in all three school districts across the county and provide community members with the opportunity to shape future efforts based on the needs of their community. Facilitators will guide discussions for each of the directives, which were identified from recent data collected throughout Summit County.
Following these town hall meetings, the Alliance will present the Strategic Directives to Summit County Board of Health, the Summit County and Park City Council.
Meetings will be held at the following times and locations:
• August 16: Richins Building, 5:30-7 p.m.
• August 21: North Summit Middle School 5:30-7 p.m.
• August 22: South Summit District Office 5:30-7 p.m.
The Summit County Mental Wellness Alliance is a collaboration of several governmental entities, nonprofits, private businesses and citizens dedicated to improving mental health and substance abuse services in Summit County. Although “the Alliance” is leading the way in this effort, we recognize it will take the help and support of Summit County communities to enact lasting, sustainable change.