The unrelenting opioid crisis. Skyrocketing suicide rates. Decreased life expectancy. These are stark indicators of the current state of mental health in America—the most significant public health crisis of our generation. We have made some progress, but a lack of affordable and accessible mental health/addiction care remains a reality for thousands, leaving families across the nation desperate and searching for answers.
People want change. According to a recent poll, 75 percent of voters believe the country and the federal government are not doing enough to address mental health. Additionally, a majority of voters, regardless of party affiliation, say they are more likely to support a 2020 presidential candidate who promises to address mental health and addiction. Currently, 1 in 5 Americans has a mental health or substance use disorder. Are we approaching a tipping point where these 1 in 5 individuals could be single-issue voters?
Speakers include:
Former U.S. Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) – Founder, The Kennedy Forum; co-chair, Mental Health for US
Former U.S. Sen. Gordon H. Smith (R-OR) – Author of the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act; co-chair, Mental Health for US
U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) – House Ways and Means Committee, Ways and Means Health Subcommittee
U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD) – Chair, Freshman Working Group on Addiction
Andy Slavitt – Former Acting Administrator, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Board Chair, United States of Care
John Madigan – Senior Vice President of Public Policy, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
Daniel Gillison – Incoming CEO, National Alliance on Mental Illness
Joe Pyle, MA – President, Scattergood Foundation
Benjamin Miller, PsyD. – Chief Strategy Officer, Well Being Trust
Katherina Rosqueta – Founding Executive Director, Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania
Michael Thompson – President & CEO, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions
Brandon Staglin – President, OneMind
Tracy Neal-Walden, Ph.D – Director, The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals
Carmen B. – Consumer advocate
