#United States #New Orleans #Mental Health America #State Champions #Legislative Advocacy

Mental Health America Honors 2024 State Legislative Champions

Mental Health America (MHA) recently spotlighted seven dedicated lawmakers as the 2024 State Legislative Champions during its winter Regional Policy Council (RPC) summit held in New Orleans. This important acknowledgment highlights their unwavering commitment to fostering policies that enhance mental health and substance use support across the United States.

A Legacy of Leadership

Established in 2009, the RPC brings together policy experts and affiliate leaders from MHA's extensive network nationwide. Their primary goal is to advocate for individuals living with mental health challenges and substance use conditions. The champions recognized this year are lauded not only for their legislative achievements but also for their persistent advocacy amidst a changing policy landscape.

Honorees of the Year

The following state legislators were honored:
1. Larry Selders (Louisiana) - As the chair of the Health and Welfare Committee, Rep. Selders has consistently championed behavioral health services, demonstrating true public service commitment.
2. Beth Mizell (Louisiana) - Sen. Mizell is recognized for securing vital funding for maternal mental health and school-based behavioral health services, especially addressing rural areas where resources are limited.
3. Vincent Hughes (Pennsylvania) - Sen. Hughes uses his platform to raise mental health awareness via his podcast and passionately fights against the criminalization of homelessness.
4. Eric Nelson (Pennsylvania) - Rep. Nelson stands out for his collaborative spirit with Pennsylvania's mental health providers and his dedication to legislation focused on mental health improvement.
5. Robert Peters (Illinois) - Sen. Peters has worked tirelessly on the Healthcare Protection Act, aiming to transform exploitative health insurance practices and protect individuals' rights.
6. Anna Moeller (Illinois) - Rep. Moeller has initiated House Bill 0002, which focuses on overdose prevention sites, consequently highlighting the importance of proactive measures in substance use disorders.
7. Sam Creekmore (Mississippi) - Rep. Creekmore played a pivotal role in passing HB 1222, a bill focused on mental health training for law enforcement officers, enhancing the capability of police forces in addressing mental health crises.

The Theme of Resilience

During the RPC meeting, themed "Ripples from the Rain: Trauma Visible and Invisible," various advocacy issues were discussed. Past MHA Legislative Champion, Utah State Rep. Steve Eliason, emphasized his state’s youth suicide prevention initiatives and efforts to combat homelessness. Furthermore, he introduced a groundbreaking effort to create the nation’s first office of artificial intelligence with a focus on overseeing AI-powered mental health applications.

MHA's Ongoing Mission

Mental Health America continues to lead the way as the nation's premier community-focused nonprofit organization. Their mission centers on advocating for mental health awareness, resilience, recovery, and addressing the lingering issues of mental health equity. MHA aims to promote a comprehensive approach to health that includes early intervention, integrated services, and educational outreach.

Through such initiatives, MHA strives to dismantle stigma surrounding mental health disorders, create access to critical services, and advocate for necessary policy advancements. The accomplishments of the 2024 State Legislative Champions serve as a reminder of the positive change effective leadership can bring within communities,

For more detailed information about MHA and its Regional Policy Council activities, please visit MHAnational.org.