Department Seeks Mental Health, Substance Use Survey Responses

LARAMIE – With a myriad of opioid epidemic issues affecting both the public and the medical field – from a physical addiction to prescription abuse – the Wyoming Department of Health invites residents to share their thoughts and opinions about community-based mental health and substance use disorder services through an online survey.

The survey is part of an overall statewide assessment effort meant to help the WDH Behavioral Health Division state identify treatment capacity and resources, plan federal funding expenditures and direct future initiatives.

The online survey can be found at surveymonkey.com/r/WyomingNeedsAssessment and will be available through June 3.

The assessment, conducted by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, will include data analysis, focus groups, key informant surveys, and stakeholder interviews. Regional feedback sessions are also being planned.

WICHE will incorporate their findings into a final report, which is expected to include suggestions related to innovative workforce options, programming and service delivery.

A needs assessment is an important component of both the Community Mental Health Block Grant and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant, which are issued by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to WDH each year.

More information about mental health and substance use treatment services in Wyoming can be found at health.wyo.gov/behavioralhealth/mhsa/.