Resolution No. 301
Establishing The mind your health training program to PROVIDE certain county employees mental health first aid training
Introduced: 8/8/22
By Mss. Lekakis, Willingham, Messrs. A. Joyce, Commisso and Ms. Plotsky:
WHEREAS, The National Council for Mental Wellbeing has seen a significant increase in demand for mental health and substance abuse treatment services caused in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, and
WHEREAS, The National Council for Mental Wellbeing has further found that nearly one in five Americans suffers from a mental or behavioral health issue that is diagnosable and almost always treatable, but only a fraction receive the necessary care, and
WHEREAS, The National Council for Mental Wellbeing recommends Mental Health First Aid training for human services professionals in order to provide techniques for recognizing and addressing mental health issues before a difficult situation escalates to a tragedy, and
WHEREAS, Providing Mental Health First Aid Training to certain employees of Albany County who have direct and consistent interaction with the public will provide those individuals with the tools necessary to identify a person with a mental health issue, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the departments of Albany County shall work with the Commissioner of Human Resources to establish lists of human service professionals in their employ who will take part in the Mind Your Health Training Program and who would benefit from the Mental Health First Aid training, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commissioners of Human Resources and Mental Health shall work together to assure that all Mental Health First Aid trainings provided by Albany County shall be designed to include, but not be limited to, coverage of the following subjects: common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges; common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges; how to interact with a person in crisis; how to connect a person with help; and expanded content on trauma, substance use, and self-care, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commissioners of Human Resources and Mental Health shall work with the Purchasing Department to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) consistent with this resolution for the purposes of obtaining a vendor to provide Mental Health First Aid trainings, and be it further
RESOLVED, That upon the tabulation of any proposals in response to the RFP, the Commissioner of Human Resources shall notify the County Legislature of the expense related to the proposal that funding may be provided for the Mental Health First Aid training and any ancillary costs associated with the training, and be it further
RESOLVED, That such training may be conducted either in-person or virtually, but shall be done no later than six months from the execution of any contract for Mental Health First Aid training services or, thereafter, within six months of any new employee’s hire or transfer to one of the positions selected to receive such training, and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the County Legislature is directed to forward certified copies of this resolution to the appropriate County Officials.
Referred to Health and Personnel Committees - 8/8/22
Favorable Recommendation Health Committee - 8/25/22
Favorable Recommendation Personnel Committee - 8/25/22