 Unemployment was the hot topic of discussion at the latest installment of the Gordon-Rosenmeyer Forum at Central Lakes College. Clayton Castle brings us that story. Who is unemployed and why? That was the topic of a healthy discussion at the Gordon-Rosenmeyer Forum at Central Lakes College as community members came out to learn and asked questions about unemployment in Crowing County, which is right around the state average. Crowing County's statistics are within a percentage point or two of the rest of the state as far as the statewide average, where a percentage point or two above the statewide average. The whys were numerous and included housing costs, disability, lack of reliable or public transportation, childcare, a record of felony convictions and wages. But perhaps one of the most noteworthy is what's called adverse childhood experiences or ACEs. The experiences that an individual would have during childhood that could, they could be carrying that trauma with them and that can prevent them from retaining employment. Crowing Energize has worked to provide resources for those who have experienced trauma in their childhood. So we rolled out an attitude of gratitude tool kit two years ago to promote resiliency and build up somebody's mental fitness, so to speak, and now this last Friday at our annual summit we rolled out our sleep tool kit. A large part of the discussion was about ACEs and mental illness in general and why providing resources for those battling mental illness is important for both employee and employer. Well, having mental fitness or good mental health, so to speak, would mean that somebody is able to function and whether that's if you're in school, being able to attend school daily, get your school work done and same thing for work, being able to get to work on time, show up, be reliable and then produce a good product. After the great recession in 2008 crippled the workforce in Crowing County, trends are showing that unemployment is going down and jobs are slowly but surely getting filled. Reporting in Brainerd, Clayton Castle, Lakeland News. While issues with hiring and retention are still active, officials say the city of Brainerd is no longer the most unemployed city of its size in the state. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.