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2021: The Year Everyone Was Talking
About Mental Health

If 2020 was the year we all wanted to forget, then 2021 may be remembered as the year everyone was talking about mental health. From Simone Biles to Meaghan Markle to Naomi Osaka, celebrities opened up about their struggles and strategies for mental health. But more important, so did the rest of us. Read more.

 

Older Adult Behavioral Health Network Supports Community Living

While most older adults enjoy positive mental health, those with untreated behavioral health conditions are 3 times more likely to be admitted to nursing homes, and these admissions occur at a younger age. The Older Adult Behavioral Health Network is working to elevate the visibility of older adult behavioral health issues. Learn more.

 

Bob Fleischner on Disability Justice and Supported Decision-Making 

MAMH Board member Bob Fleischner talks about disability justice, the use of Supported Decision-Making as a tool for equity, and the multiple ways we can all be advocates for systems change. Learn more.

Massachusetts Spending Plan to Promote COVID-19 Recovery: Impact on People with Behavioral Health Conditions

On December 13, Governor Baker signed legislation allocating nearly $4 billion in federal COVID relief funding and state fiscal year 2021 surplus dollars. The legislation included more than $400 million to expand access to behavioral health services and community-based primary care, including:

$198 million for a Behavioral Health Trust Fund to support a loan repayment assistance program for behavioral health workers, prioritizing the recruitment and retention of a cultural, ethnically and linguistically diverse workforce; 

1 million to support a school behavioral health technical assistance center;

$1.5M for implementation assistance grants to community behavioral health provider organizations to advance adoption of pediatric behavioral health urgent care programs; and 

$750,000 to support families of children with serious mental health needs.

Read our new issue brief for details on the spending plan and its impact on individuals and families with behavioral conditions in the Commonwealth.

Learn more about MAMH's advocacy priorities on the Take Action page of our website! 
If you don’t already receive our Action Alerts, subscribe here! 

 

Families Support Mental Health Education as Part of Overall Health and Wellness

According to a national survey released December 14, the vast majority of parents support providing mental health education in schools. The survey, conducted during November 2021 for NAMI, found that 87% of parents support providing mental health education in schools. Learn more.

 

Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory

A new advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General warns that young people are facing “devastating” mental health effects as a result of challenges experienced by their generation, including COVID. The report outlines strategies to improve youth mental health and empower youth to recognize, manage, and learn from difficult emotions. Read the report.

 

Career Opportunities

MAMH is hiring a Managing Director for Network of Care Massachusetts. The Managing Director will help set the vision and implement strategies to expand and improve Network of Care Massachusetts’ ability to connect individuals and families with resources to meet their behavioral health and social services needs. Learn more and apply here!

 

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment to Reimagine Crisis Response

Guest blogger Monica Luke, Executive Director for The Living Assistance Fund, writes about the planned launch of 988 - a new, 3-digit nationwide crisis services phone line - and why we need to advocate for comprehensive crisis services in our communities. Learn more. 

 

I Am Not Alone: New Mental Health America Website Promotes Connection

Feeling lonely? Survey research shows that more than 3 in 5 Americans feel lonely, left out, or poorly understood. Mental Health America's new website, I Am Not Alone, provides hundreds of opportunities to meet and connect with others for activities, training, and friendship. Learn more.

 

Events

Even as we continue to minimize physical interaction with others to help control the spread of COVID, we can continue to stay engaged, learn new things, and connect with others in our community. Take advantage of the many opportunities for free, online training and resources! 

Check out our Events page to see what's happening in the behavioral health advocacy community this month!

Interested in trainings for supporting older adults with behavioral health needs in the community? Check out our Older Adult Training Calendar!

617.742.75452 | info@mamh.org
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