COVID-19 Mental Health Town Hall
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating impact across our social, economic, and healthcare systems. As challenges facing behavioral health systems and the mental health of our communities come to the forefront, public health, legislative, community and business leaders face difficult decisions around addressing these immense burdens in the months and years to come.
How do we ensure funding and access remain available to support those we serve? What is the best way to maintain operations despite looming budget shortfalls? How can we address the behavioral health of our communities in addition to the physical health challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic?
On Thursday, July 23, at 2 p.m. ET, the National Council in partnership with the National Conference of State Legislatures, with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, held a special COVID-19 Mental Health Townhall to answer questions from members, providers and policymakers nationwide.
Presenters included:
- Chuck Ingoglia, MSW – President and CEO, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
- Reyna Taylor – Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, National Council
- Tramaine El-Amin, MA – Assistant Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, National Council
- Kate Blackman, MSW, MPH – Health Program Group Director, National Conference of State Legislatures
- Karmen Hanson, MA – Program Director, Behavioral Health & Pharmaceuticals, NCSL
- New Jersey State Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD – Chair, Health and Senior Services Committee
- Georgia State Representative Katie Dempsey – Chair, Appropriations Human Resources Sub-Committee