It has been observed that people in the United States are more likely to report mental health concerns stemming from the pandemic than individuals in other high-income countries (The Commonwealth Fund). The economic effects of COVID-19, and the social isolation necessary to contain the spread of the virus, are weighing heavily on emotional well-being. This solutions-focused discussion explored policy interventions at the federal, state, and local levels to advance mental health during the ongoing pandemic. Panelists also outlined options for the U.S.’s largest publicly financed health programs—Medicare and Medicaid—to better finance and deliver mental health services.
Panelists:
- Paul Gionfriddo, President and CEO, Mental Health America
- Kevin Martone, Executive Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative
- Beth McGinty, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy Research, and Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Reginald D. Williams, II, Vice President, International Health Policy and Practice Innovations, The Commonwealth Fund (moderator)
This briefing was made possible with support from The Commonwealth Fund.