Jan 2025 RABH Notes
CITY OF RICHFIELD
ADVISORY BOARD OF HEALTH NOTES
Monday, Jan 27, 2025 6:00 p.m.
Present:
Kelly Hauer
Joel Schleisman, Secretary
Councilmember Sharon Christensen
Jennifer Anderson, Liaison
Welcome and Introductions were made by everyone in attendance.
Community Health Assessment presentation – Amina Abdullahi, BPH
• Survey timeline: in between phase 2 & 3, have the data but are coming up with
strategies, goals and objectives before implementing.
• Looking at state, national and surgeon general's report on mental health; a
larger volume of mental health calls locally.
• Richfield police responded to more than 250 mental health calls in 2023; about
one quarter of BER (Bloomington, Edina, Richfield) high schoolers have seriously
considered suicide.
• 6% of Richfield 11th graders have attempted suicide; LGBTQ+ students reported
higher rates of both suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.
• Highlighted a need for additional crisis training.
• Opioid use and related deaths: in 2023, 39 opioid related deaths in Richfield;
Richfield police responded to 11 opioid overdoses in 2023.
• Mental health challenges more than doubled in the last decade as reported by
BER high schoolers.
• Social media usage, stress from academics, global events, and societal issues are
contributing factors.
• Community support is needed especially when considering cost and availability
of mental health resources.
• Social isolation and loneliness in youth and older adults are also an issue, there
has been an increase in this since the pandemic.
• Substance use and misuse 5-14% reported abusing prescription drugs in the last
12 months (reported by grades 8, 9, 11). May be underreported due to not
trusting reports are anonymous.
• Barriers to MH care: not knowing where to go to get help, could not find
provider or appt, no insurance or cost too high, afraid of what others would
think, had work, family or other duties.
• 35% of BER 8th graders say they would not be at all comfortable talking to a
counselor or social worker.
• Labeling and language matters a lot, came up in the survey.
• Issues with resources are: not knowing what's available, where to go to,
navigating insurance, locating language and culturally relevant resources.
• Next step is to start prioritizing how to move forward with solutions.
• Community Health Improvement Partnership executive committee - have a
chance to have reps from BER join to get more representation.
• Report will be available mid-late February at Let’s Talk Bloomington.
Review/Edit workplan
• Jennifer will send a draft of the work plan.
• Possibly use March as a working session to plan communication around
cannabis; March and Sept do not have topics yet on the work plan.
Cannabis Education Grant Funding
• Have $20,000 for Richfield to work with MDH. The rest of the funds are pooled
with Bloomington & Edina.
Sign Bylaws
• Commissioners from last year need to sign the draft reviewed last winter.
Penn Fest 2025 tabled until next meeting
Commissioner Training March 19th 5:30 - 6:30 in Bartholemew; leadership training is March
26th, same time and location as the 19th.
Membership Update New members' first meeting is next month (Feb).
Rachel Decker
Marcell Johnson
Jennifer is gone for the February meeting.
Sharon Christenson is the new Council member liaison.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35pm.