Posted by Peggy Strom on May 29, 2018
Today we welcomed Jill Wiedemann-West, CEO of People Incorporated, a community-based mental health system, which has been serving MN for nearly 50 years.  Services include intervention, treatment, recovery outreach, supportive services and housing.  People Inc. serves seven counties, includes 60 programs and employs 700 people.  It is one of eight nationwide to receive a federal grant that supports a "one-stop shopping" approach to mental health care.  This approach holds promise and is much needed to help deal with the current, difficult issues in our society such as homelessness, opioid addiction, and high stress levels in our children.  On that latter note, club member and Mounds View High School Principal Stephanie Bruggers, spoke about a very disturbing trend seen recently in teen suicides, including at MVHS.  There were three from last year's graduating class and one current student during the past year.  The school district has responded by bringing in a counseling team to conduct listening sessions with students and to develop a plan of action based on the results of these sessions.