On May 2, Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge hosted Behavioral Health Day. Organized by the Louisiana Mental Health Association and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this annual event brings together patients, family members, practitioners, and advocates to focus on behavioral health issues. This year’s event aimed to raise awareness about suicide prevention and behavioral health. Advocacy trainings were held prior to the event to educate advocates about proposed increases in budgets relevant to behavioral health.
EPIC-NOLA saw this as an opportunity to connect with other behavioral health providers and involve parents of patients in the legislative process. The organization had dedicated time and resources over several months to prepare for the event. However, on the day before the event, they received a discouraging message when they were notified that the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives were not in session. This meant that legislators would not be present at the Capitol, which was seen as another barrier to providing care for young people with mental health needs.
Serena Chaudhry, public health director of Early Psychosis Intervention Program New Orleans, and Louise Bush, a member of EPIC-NOLA’s moms group are calling for more attention to be given to mental health needs of Louisianans. They emphasize that “Every Mind Matters” and urge greater focus and action towards mental health issues in the state.
