SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – For many years, families across South Dakota have relied on NAMI South Dakota to help provide resources and support for people who are experiencing difficult times.
But with the recent dissolution of NAMI South Dakota, many people are left wondering where they can go next when they’re experiencing a mental health crisis.
NAMI South Dakota was the state chapter of the National Alliance for Mental Illness. It was originally founded in 1987.
According to executive director Sheri Nelson, the decision was mainly due to financial challenges.
Despite the gap that has been created, there are still resources available in Sioux Falls and in all of South Dakota for people who have mental health problems and need support.
“We have support groups currently three times a week for adults living with a mental illness, and we’re going to start another one in April,” said Phyllis Arends, acting president of Empire Mental Health Support and former executive director of NAMI South Dakota. “Somebody will say, ‘Oh, I’ve been down there, that road, you know, this is what worked for me. This is how I can help you, and you help me.’ It’s like friends, getting together with friends, really, in a structured environment.”
Data from the South Dakota DSS shows that mental illness statistics outweigh the national average. In 2021, 23.4% of South Dakota adults aged 18 and up had AMI (any mental illness), which is higher than the US average of 22.8%.
“Be kind to your mind,” said Arends. “Take care of your mental health. It is not shameful to say, my brain isn’t working right. Please get help.”
“I would say we can be the first stop for a lot of people, like we’re the immediate crisis support,” said Scott Wilson, 988 Director. “Any way that we can connect with other mental health supports, programs, agencies, we’re continuing to try to find ways to do that.”
As community leaders and providers continue to look at ways to fill this gap, the bigger question remains, which is how does South Dakota support its mental health system when one of the biggest grassroots organizations no longer exists here?
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