HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Approving $5,000 in Council Contingency Funds to Help Cover the Costs Associated with Supporting Mental Health Wellness, Recovery, and Resiliency RESOLUTION NO. 21-231
RESOLUTION APPROVING$5,000 IN COUNCIL CONTINGENCY FUNDS TO HELP
COVER THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH
WELLNESS, RECOVERY,AND RESILIENCY
FOR THE CITY OF AMES,IOWA
WHEREAS, as the City progresses through the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to
acknowledge and understand the toll that it has taken on the mental health wellness of our residents;
and,
WHEREAS,recognizing this important issue,Mayor Haila suggested to staff that this would
be an opportune time for the City to help in raising awareness of this very important topic since May
is National Mental Health Awareness Month; and,
WHEREAS, in response to the Mayor's request, a small group of City staff has had
preliminary discussions about developing a mental health wellness, recovery, and resiliency
initiative; and,
WHEREAS, since the purpose of the National Mental Health Awareness month is to raise
awareness of trauma and the impact it can have on the physical, emotional, and mental well-being
of children,families,and communities;staff envisions providing opportunities involving education,
training, and resource information to the general public; and,
WHEREAS, the initiative would span over the next several months with the first event
occurring in mid-May and the final event in September coinciding with the annual Mental Health
Expo and National Suicide Prevention Awareness month; and,
WHEREAS,the initiative would include partnerships with Iowa State University,Ames and
Gilbert Community School Districts, and local mental health and disability agencies; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council is being asked to appropriate up to $5,000 from Council
Contingency to help cover the costs associated with education and training offerings (workbooks,
trainer fees, printing, advertising, supplies, etc.); and,
WHEREAS, the initiative will include four parts: 1) Introduction to the issue through a
Public Forum/Round Table discussion by subject experts,2)Mental Health First Aide training which
provides skills to identify mental health signs and symptoms as well as tools to support individuals
experiencing these problems, 3) Suicide Prevention training; and 4) Resource and Information
distribution which will be offered throughout the first three of the parts of the initiative.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Ames, Iowa,
that the approval of$5,000 in Council Contingency funds to help cover the costs associated with the
Mental Health Wellness, Recovery, and Resiliency Initiative is hereby approved.
ADOPTED THIS 27`'day of April, 2021.
Diane R. Voss, City Clerk John A. Haila, Mayor
Introduced by: Betcher
Seconded by: Beatty-Hansen
Voting aye: Beatty-Hansen, Betcher, Corrieri, Gartin, Junck, Martin
Voting nay: None Absent: None
Resolution declared adopted and signed by the Mayor this 27t'day of April, 2021.