From the Desk of the Director

Dear friends and colleagues,

As we start the fall semester, I want to take a quick look at what CMAP has been doing and what’s ahead. Earlier this spring we hosted three public events in D.C. on mental health in all policies, improving care after nonfatal overdose, and suicide prevention in carceral facilities. On the research side, members of our team released new work on mental health need and access, and we shared updates from projects at the intersection of housing policy and behavioral health. This fall we’ll keep pairing rigorous studies with practical tools for clinicians, payers, and policy partners. 

A short story that guides our work: many of you know that both of my parents were practicing therapists. On a road trip this past weekend with my 74-year-old father, he was still telling stories of inadequate reimbursement, administrative burden, and the never-ending arguments with health care bureaucracies. I like to think that our policy environment has moved us forward since my parents’ practice closed 20 years ago, but I find that we are still besieged by many of the same problems. I shared in his frustration and told him that we’re working hard to be part of the solution.

Thank you for reading this newsletter and for your partnership. I hope to see you at an upcoming CMAP event.

Matt Eisenberg, PhD
Director, Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy