The Kennedy Forum

Curious how to navigate mental health parity in your state as we head into 2025? There is still time to join our State Parity Workgroup meeting tomorrow, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. ET. Just email [email protected] and request to join! This month, we’ll discuss aligning protocols on how a health plan covers care with Generally Accepted Standards of Care (GASC) as they pertain to new federal rules. There will also be opportunities for state advocates to share their priorities moving into the new year. Plus, we will review information on how to sign onto the letter on MHPAEA compliance in Medicaid. Hope to see you there!

Event Reminder: Please register for the Workforce Solutions Jam TOMORROW, Nov. 19 (1:00 pm EST) to hear key solutions to address the mental health workforce shortage. >>> https://bit.ly/3YHPrq4 Our Chief Policy Officer Nathaniel Counts, JD, will be joined by Dr. Erin Parks of Equip, and Dr. Helen Egger of Little Otter who contributed to The Kennedy Forum’s September report, Building the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Workforce We Need. You’ll hear innovative solutions, followed by a dialog with state leaders who are implementing promising policies. Thanks for hosting us, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Health Management Associates, Inc.,The College for Behavioral Health Leadership,and the entire Center for Workforce Solutions collaboration! Register now! https://bit.ly/3YHPrq4

On Veterans Day, we reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of all who served. One excellent way to continue honoring Veterans? By taking action on the seen and unseen issues that can impact them at home. As an organization devoted to ensuring mental health as essential health, we know that there are policies/programs that show promise in supporting Veterans through the continuum of care, from early intervention to evidence-based treatments and supported recovery. Read a few of our National Strategy Recommendations for Veterans here: https://bit.ly/3YQECAW

Readers and fans of “Profiles in Mental Health Courage”: you can register for a virtual community forum on Tuesday, Nov. 12, featuring co-authors Patrick J. Kennedy and Stephen Fried, alongside Jonathan Eig and profilee Tonie Dreher. It’s an excellent opportunity to participate and engage with these real, raw, and unflinching stories that showcase why better mental health/substance use disorder care is so important. Thank you, NAMI NYS, NAMI Rockland (National Alliance on Mental Illness of Rockland County Inc.) and Finkelstein Memorial Library. Use the QR code below to register or use this link: https://lnkd.in/eDg2FH8C

?? Event Alert: We hope you’ll register for the Workforce Solutions Jam on Nov. 19 (1:00 pm ET) to hear key solutions to address the mental health workforce shortage. >>> https://bit.ly/3YHPrq4 Our Chief Policy Officer Nathaniel Counts, JD, will be joined by Dr. Erin Parks of Equip, and Dr. Helen Egger of Little Otter, who contributed to The Kennedy Forum’s September report, Building the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Workforce We Need. This policy brief was created with the help of a team of experts who examined the challenges and opportunities for careers like certified peer support specialists, certified alcohol and drug counselors, licensed clinical social workers, and psychiatric nurse practitioners, then lays out policy recommendations for reimbursement, licensure, education/training, and data. You’ll hear innovative solutions, followed by a dialog with state leaders who are implementing these promising policies. Thanks for having us, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Health Management Associates, The College for Behavioral Health Leadership, and the entire Center for Workforce Solutions collaboration. Register now! https://bit.ly/3YHPrq4

Today is election day. Make no mistake, mental health and substance use disorder care are on the ballot, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. There are roughly 100,000 overdose deaths per year. In 2022, there were 49,000 deaths by suicide. More than 1 in 5 Americans live with mental illness. 1 in 20 Americans experience serious mental illness each year. 90% of Americans agree that we are in a mental health crisis. MH/SUD policies have real-life consequences that affect the collective well-being of our society. Today is a rare opportunity to influence our future for a more productive workforce, stronger families, and the chance for millions to not just survive, but thrive. You can see a few of the key mental health issues at the link before you head to the polls, and vote like your mental health depends on it: https://lnkd.in/gJd_YSat

“We have a responsibility now, in sobriety, to help others.” Co-Founder Patrick Kennedy sat down with the Heart of the Matter podcast to discuss his book “Profiles in Mental Health Courage.” He was joined by Tonie “Miss Tonie” Dreher, a mental health advocate featured in the book. Dreher talked about her journey from struggling with substance use disorder and schizophrenia to becoming a mental health counselor. A heartfelt thank you to Elizabeth Vargas and the Heart of the Matter podcast, a series by the Partnership to End Addiction, for opening up the floor to important discussions about overcoming shame and building something inspiring. Recovery is not linear, but we can work collectively and transparently to achieve the future we want to see in mental health and SUD care. Listen to the full podcast here: https://apple.co/3O8o7v7

At The Kennedy Forum, we understand that mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUDs) are deeply personal journeys, shaped by complex stories of struggle and resilience. Yet it’s rare to hear these experiences in person, much less in a room full of the nation's mental health leaders. During the recent 2024 Alignment for Progress conference, we were honored to hear from inspiring individuals featured in "Profiles in Mental Health Courage," co-written by our Co-Founder Patrick J. Kennedy and acclaimed journalist Stephen Fried. If you weren’t able to attend the conference, we think it’s important for you to see this session. It’s one that will stay with you. If you were at the event, we'd love to know what has stuck with you from this panel. We invite you to read the highlights or watch the video in its entirety. These stories not only illuminate the challenges we face but also fuel our commitment to transforming mental health care for all. #MentalHealth #SubstanceUseDisorders #A4P #ProfilesInMentalHealthCourage #KennedyForum

What a truly remarkable sight: Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich speaks with Pope Francis, who is holding a copy of “Profiles in Mental Health Courage,” co-authored by our Co-Founder Patrick J. Kennedy and journalist Stephen Fried. The poignant stories in this book continue to influence the conversation on mental health and substance use disorders (MH/SUDs) — we never know who the profilees will reach and how they will change lives. Individuals, families, and leaders representing different faiths, backgrounds, and institutions, have all been inspired by real experiences of everyday people navigating MH/SUD. See the picture at the link below, or watch the video and recap of the "Profiles in Mental Health Courage" session from our 2024 Alignment for Progress conference here: https://bit.ly/40gYNKy

Announcement: You can now access all of the tools that we released at the 2024 Alignment for Progress conference! Beyond the thought-provoking and inspiring discussions at the event, we also highlighted brand new research, resources, and tools. From a digital dashboard powered by KPMG Signals and created in partnership with TKF that provides a snapshot on screening, prevention, and recovery of MH/SUD in the U.S., to a career pathway tool that shows how we can expand key roles like peer specialists, certified alcohol and drug counselors, licensed clinical social workers and psychiatric nurse practitioners, you can access a variety of new information to put to use in your work. Explore them all here: https://bit.ly/4fgfF8s