PACT recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This observance is an opportunity for the health care community, mental health advocates, policy makers, and employers to recognize the need for greater support of mental health and substance use disorder services and to spur action.

This month, Protecting Americans Coverage Together (PACT), a coalition of employer voices dedicated to strengthening employer-sponsored insurance (ESI), is joining organizations across the country to raise awareness and advocate for meaningful policy solutions that prioritize health and well-being. of Americans living with mental health challenges.

Earlier this year, PACT released a series of reforms to strengthen and modernize America’s mental health system. These ideas build on the actions employers have taken to invest in better mental health care and wellbeing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only exacerbated the ongoing mental health challenges facing Americans, it has also exposed gaps in care. Since then, these challenges have evolved and become more widespread, underscoring the importance of recognizing this month. Fortunately, many American employers have recognized their critical role in providing strong mental and behavioral health care for employees and their family members.

As employers are making significant investments to address the needs of their employees, it is critical that policymakers provide support to the millions of Americans who need it now. In March, PACT shared mental health policy recommendations with key decision makers in the White House and Congress. These recommendations include:

• Expanding access to Telehealth: The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the necessity and significant value of telehealth services. While roadblocks and other restrictions have since been lifted, barriers to mental health care, such as geographic distance and labor shortages, remain, highlighting the continued importance of access to telehealth care. PACT coalition members are seeking to cement telehealth access by making certain pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities permanent.
• Strengthening the mental health care provider workforce: As the demand for mental health care services increases, the most significant barrier many people face is the lack of providers, especially in underserved and rural areas. Under current conditions, this shortage is likely to worsen as many existing providers approach retirement or experience burnout. PACT recognizes that to meaningfully address mental health challenges, it is essential to strengthen and grow the provider workforce.
• Better integration of mental and physical health care: Providers, employers, and patients have all recognized that mental, behavioral, and physical health conditions are often interconnected. By better integrating care for mental and physical conditions, providers and insurers can reduce unnecessary costs, strengthen individuals’ overall health, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Under a more holistic model, individuals and their families can receive more effective care.

As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month this May, employers are stepping up their commitment to strengthen mental and behavioral health services for their workforce. PACT members look forward to working with legislators and other key policymakers to improve and expand mental health care services and access.

US employers, including the US Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Council on Affordable Health Care and the Vermeer Corporation, will continue their work to prioritize mental and physical wellness of employees in May and throughout the year.