Minnesota Agencies

Advises the Minnesota governor, legislature, and state agency heads about policy, programs, and services affecting people with mental illness.

The State Advisory Council on Mental Health was established in 1987. The Council is charged with making recommendations to the governor, Legislature and state departments on mental health policies, programs and services. By including representatives from all groups with an interest in the mental health system, the vision for the Council is to have a body that makes comprehensive recommendations by a consensus.

The Mental Health Advisory Council was reviewed by the Legislative Commission on Planning and Fiscal Policy (LCPFP) in 2013 as part of their biennial duty required by Minn. Stat. 3.885 Subd. 11. The LCPFP's 2013 Recommendations called for keeping the council.

Notwithstanding provisions of Minn. Stat. 15.059, the council and its subcommittee on children's mental health do not expire.

The council must have members appointed by the governor in accordance with federal requirements. In making the appointments, the governor shall consider appropriate representation of communities of color. The council must be composed of:

• the assistant commissioner of the Department of Human Services who oversees behavioral health policy;
• a representative of the Department of Human Services responsible for the medical assistance program;
• a representative of Direct Care and Treatment;
• a representative of the Department of Health;
• a representative of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families;
• one member of each of the following professions:
  • psychiatry;
  • psychology;
  • social work;
  • nursing;
  • marriage and family therapy; and
  • professional clinical counseling;
• one representative from each of the following advocacy groups: Mental Health Association of Minnesota, NAMI-MN, Minnesota Disability Law Center, American Indian Mental Health Advisory Council, and a consumer-run mental health advocacy group;
• providers of mental health services;
• consumers of mental health services;
• family members of persons with mental illnesses;
• legislators;
• social service agency directors;
• county commissioners; and
• other members reflecting a broad range of community interests, including family physicians, or members as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services may prescribe by regulation or as may be selected by the governor.

The council shall select a chair. Terms, compensation, and removal of members and filling of vacancies are governed by Minn. Stat. 15.059. The commissioner of human services shall provide staff support and supplies to the council.