Mental Health

Mental health is a dynamic state of internal equilibrium which enables individuals to use their abilities in harmony with universal values of society. Basic cognitive and social skills; ability to recognize, express and modulate one’s own emotions, as well as empathize with others; flexibility and ability to cope with adverse life events and function in social roles; and harmonious relationship between body and mind represent important components of mental health which contribute, to varying degrees, to the state of internal equilibrium.

Past Events

January 24, 2024

This event featured an analysis of potential health policy priorities at both state and federal levels for this upcoming election year, and provided a review of major legislative milestones from 2023 and their potential implications for 2024.

May 24, 2023

This webinar, held on World Schizophrenia Day in partnership with the Schizophrenia and Psychosis Action Alliance, aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the needs of people living with schizophrenia and the implications of the severe, systemic gaps in care often experienced by this population. Panelists will explore the role of innovation, care delivery, and […]

January 20, 2023

The federal government provides a significant share of funding for mental health services in America, while allowing states flexibility to design their own mental health systems and allocate those funds to county and local levels. This briefing outlined how federal funding is allocated, distributed, and ultimately used by states and community organizations. Speakers also explored […]

October 28, 2022

While behavioral and physical health are deeply linked, our siloed and fragmented health care system does not treat them in a coordinated and holistic way. These gaps lead to avoidable delays in diagnosis and care for patients, exacerbating the current crises of suicide, overdose, and behavioral health morbidity. To that end, the continuum of “integration” […]

July 20, 2022

Summit on Mental Health in America The Summit on Mental Health in America featured industry visionaries, administration executives, and a host of experts to discuss topic areas such as equitable inclusion, innovation, and workforce capacities. The day kicked off with a conversation on the newly launched 988 Hotline moderated by Tradeoffs Podcast. Designed from feedback […]

July 20, 2022

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra provided a keynote address on HHS’ top priorities in mental health, promising advancements to date, and insights on future objectives.

July 20, 2022

High-quality mental health systems must produce sustainable, equitable, and patient-centered care. To achieve this, partnerships between likely and unlikely stakeholders can prevail above separate silos and lead to better outcomes. This panel overviewed innovative ways in which stakeholders across multiple sectors are partnering and coordinating to improve the mental health and substance use disorder ecosystem. […]

July 20, 2022

The recently released Ken Burns documentary, Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness, highlights the ongoing mental health crisis facing America’s young people. The PBS documentary features first-person accounts from more than 20 young people, ranging in age from 11 to 27, who live with mental health conditions, as well as parents, teachers, friends, healthcare providers […]

July 20, 2022

As mental health needs constantly evolve, so should the health system along with it. Senior leaders from Alliance Signature Series Sponsors, representing organizations across the health care industry, discussed the opportunities and challenges of developing an evidence-based and innovative mental health care system. Panelists explored how their organizations are propelling change to accommodate person-centered needs […]

July 20, 2022

Progress cannot be made towards an ideal mental health system without focusing on the state of the workforce. The short supply of clinicians and peer support workers, uneven distribution of practitioners, and lack of diversity contributes to an inefficient mental health system that is slow to respond to patient needs. This session reviewed key strategies […]

July 20, 2022

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) provided a Congressional POV for the next steps in aiding the mental health challenges in the United States. Bipartisan interest in making progress on mental health has garnered support in Congress, with numerous legislative packages being introduced in both the Senate and […]

July 20, 2022

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act was signed into law in 2020, which created 9-8-8 as the three digit, go-to number for people experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis. As implementation of the 988-hotline will kicked off on July 16, this discussion dove into the challenges service providers have faced as they raced to […]

Toolkits

Mental Health Policy

Mental health problems have been rising in the public consciousness — with recent mass shootings, with the recession and with the passage of the health reform law. This toolkit offers links to many resources on the scope of the nation’s mental health problems and promising ways of addressing them. Includes a list of experts and […]

Sourcebook Chapters

Behavioral health, addiction, and the health care system that treats these issues.

Policymakers

Members of Congress, Congressional and agency staff, federal, state, and local legislators.

Health Care Stakeholders

Industry stakeholders, practitioners and providers, patient advocates, community organizations, academics.

Media

Members of the press, journalists, public relations professionals.