SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- The head of one of South Dakota's oldest advocacy groups for mental health says the state needs more counselors.
"We know there's a real shortage of mental health providers in South Dakota, just as there is in the rest of the country," says National Alliance on Mental Illness/South Dakota executive director Wendy Giebink.
The state legislature will have a study committee look into mental health issues this summer.
Giebink also says awareness is important.
"We need to make sure, first of all, that people are comfortable talking about mental health conditions," Giebink said. "That's everywhere from schools to parenting to our judicial system to just our communities."
NAMI South Dakota holds it annual fundraiser May 19th in Sioux Falls at Sertoma Park.
Click at right to listen to Giebink talk about mental health issues in South Dakota and about the upcoming NAMIWalks fundraiser.
