NATCON president praises progress of behavioral health, calls for more

LAS VEGAS — In a general session at the National Council for Behavioral Health annual conference, Linda Rosenberg, PhD, president and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health, highlighted the significant progress that has been made in mental and behavioral health care in the past 10 years and urged for a continuation of that progress.

“Last month the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Comprehensive Addictions and Recovery Act. We expect the full Senate and House to do the same,” Rosenberg said. “It’s a start — and we are grateful — but you know what? Grants are not enough. If you had cancer, you’d get chemotherapy. If I had a blocked artery, I’d get a stent. It wouldn’t depend upon a grant and it shouldn’t for us.”

The acceptance of this act is an indicator of how far mental and behavioral health has come, but also how much farther it has to go.

Mental and behavioral health care has been a common topic among politicians today, which further indicates progress that has been made in the past 10 years.

“Ten years ago, we had to educate our leaders about why mental illnesses and addictions matter. Today, we have to educate them about what matters in addressing mental illnesses and addictions,” Rosenberg said.

What matters, according to Rosenberg, includes:

detection of early signs of psychotic illness and delivering first episode services;
adding cognitive therapies and medication-assisted treatment to 12-step programs; and
adopting measurement-based care.

First Lady Michelle Obama thanked conference attendees for the work they do via video.

“I want to start by thanking all of you for the outstanding work you do every day to bring relief to those who are suffering and a safe haven for those facing mental illnesses and addictions,” Obama said. “At a time when tens of millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds have a diagnosable mental health condition, your work is important and urgently needed.”

The greatest challenge mental and behavioral health professionals face today is maintaining humanity and a commitment to addressing and alleviating suffering while acting as a business, according to Rosenberg.

To move forward, mental and behavioral health care clinicians, professionals, organizations and facilities must strike a balance between these two functions. – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

Rosenberg L. Fearless, but not reckless. Presented at: The National Council for Behavioral Health Conference; March 7-9, 2016; Las Vegas.

Disclosure: Rosenberg reports no relevant financial disclosures.