Policy and a Pint: Moving Our Mental Health System Forward

Improving our mental health systems is one of the biggest public health challenges facing every state in the country, where mental illnesses affect at least one in five people at some time in their lives. Although much is known about what works in mental health care treatment and community supports, many people receive little or no treatment or support – resulting in poor outcomes that include ending up homeless or in the criminal justice system. Discrimination and stigma hamper the development of robust mental health policies and funding, and despite years of work, we still don’t treat mental illnesses like other health care conditions. While we have the foundation for a better mental health system, what are the barriers to meeting the demand for mental health treatment and supports when parity, funding, and the needed workforce is in short supply? And what can we do about it? To help us answer these questions at the next Policy and a Pint®, host Steve Seel (MPR) will be joined by panelists Sue Abderholden, executive director of NAMI Minnesota; Rev. Alfred Babington-Johnson, president and CEO, Stairstep Foundation; and Dr. Bruce Sutor, department of psychiatry and psychology, Mayo Clinic. Join us Wednesday, October 5 at 6pm at the Minneapolis Event Center. Policy and a Pint® is presented by The Current and The Citizens League, and supported by Target.