Our Voice and Our Vote Are More Important Than Ever Before

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear how vital behavioral health professionals are to our individual health and to the health of our communities. More than ever, behavioral health professionals provide clients with life-saving treatment and services. It is truly hard to imagine where we would be as a nation without care from behavioral health professionals. The need will only intensify in the weeks and months ahead as we face a long period of recovery of our health, spirit, and economy, addressing the inevitable toll of long-term trauma on the nation's mental health.For many of us, the future is uncertain. Clinics providing needed services to some of our nation's most vulnerable, those living with mental illness and addictions and their families, are struggling to keep their doors open. The victims of these closures will not only be their patients and clients, they will be the staff who have bravely put their own fears aside to provide comfort and treatment.While the future is unclear and the full extent of the health crisis is still unfolding, I see promising signs of hope. The behavioral health field has always embodied strength and resilience, and that is certainly true right now.Even in these dark times, I have seen the power of unity and what can happen when we speak with one voice to let our nation's leaders know our wide-ranging contributions and our great needs. The National Council has joined our voices with organizations, policymakers, and individuals within our own community. Our list of victories is inspiring, and it is all because we recognize that we are better together.Our strength was evident as we spoke up to Congress and they listened. We secured policy changes supporting our community, gaining latitude in the use of telehealth and expansion of audio-only telehealth and Medicare coverage for a wider range of providers of telehealth services. Such efforts included Medicaid nonprofits in the Paycheck Protection Program and temporary relief of the Ryan Haight Act which allowed greater flexibility to prescribe controlled substances like antipsychotics and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), among others. In addition, the National Council spearheaded the largest mental health and addiction advocacy request in history, leading the effort for 40 other advocacy organizations to sign a request totaling $38.5 billion for behavioral health providers.However, we still have far to go. As the nation continues to grapple with and recover from COVID-19 and its aftershocks, we need continued investment in behavioral health. There are

“Public Health Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Greece and Associated Factors: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Survey”

“…It becomes apparent that communitywide approaches which will focus on social integration and behavioral support, beyond communication and education about the virus, are needed for subgroups of the Greek population who are on the fence of social isolation. 41 We also found that increased exposure to COVID-19 related Media news and online resources was associated with more frequent engagement in mask-wearing and hand washing. The transparency and openness of the Greek government with daily updates on the virus' spread in the country followed by public health messaging, guidelines and recommendations for prevention appears to be key in the public's acceptance of preventive measures.…”

“…It becomes apparent that community-wide approaches which will focus on social integration and behavioral support, beyond communication and education about the virus, are needed for subgroups of the Greek population who are on the fence of social isolation. 41 …”