Article Published: 7/24/2024
As part of NBCC’s comprehensive government affairs and advocacy activities, we partner with other behavioral health organizations to advance NBCC’s legislative agenda and collaborate with key associations to promote overall mental health before members of Congress. On June 5, NBCC participated in Hill Day 2024, an event sponsored by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW) in Washington, D.C. NBCC was one of the lead advocacy partners in support of Hill Day. Over 500 attendees representing several behavioral health organizations and associations came to Washington to advocate on several policy issues. The 2-day event featured a Public Policy Institute and the opportunity to meet with elected officials to advocate for improved mental health and substance use care.
How Public Policy Can Impact Lives
Panelists highlighted that we have seen a radical shift in behavioral health policy with a huge impact due to:
The result of these legislative efforts has been to mainstream behavioral health as a critical part of the overall health care system and a major contributor to improving the lives of millions of Americans who previously did not have access to mental health care.
Phil Rutherford with the National Council said, “We still have significant work to do in providing behavioral health services to people recently released from prisons and jails—especially in the first 30 days—to make sure they do not fall through the cracks.” In addition, panelists noted that despite the progress we have made, considerable societal stigma still prevents many people from seeking and continuing care, and major national communication campaigns are needed to promote prevention and early screening, and that care works.
The institute concluded June 6 with state delegate discussions on key legislative priorities for advocacy including 988 hotline and crisis care improvements, building on the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic model, reauthorizing major programs that support the addiction workforce and funding programs, and policies to expand the mental health workforce.
NBCC is proud to partner with NCMW to advocate for better mental health care. Priority Hill Day legislative asks can be found on the NBCC website. https://www.votervoice.net/NBCCGrassroots/bills
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