May 2 was Behavioral Health Day at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge.
This is an annual event that brings patients, families, professionals and advocates to the state capitol to discuss behavioral health issues. Planned months in advance and sponsored by the Louisiana Mental Health Association and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this year’s event aimed to raise awareness about suicide prevention and behavioral health. To educate advocates, an advocate training was held before May 2 to educate advocates about the proposed budget increases for all behavioral health-related areas.
The Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic of New Orleans (EPIC-NOLA) saw this as an opportunity to partner with and support other behavioral health providers and involve the parents of our patients in the legislative process, and over the past few months we have dedicated time and resources to this event.
The day before the event, we received news that the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives were out of office and lawmakers would not be coming to the Capitol. We feel this is another barrier in the path to care for young people and a strong message that mental health is not a priority in Louisiana. We call for more consideration of the mental health needs of Louisianans, because every heart matters.
Serena Choudhury
Public Health Director, New Orleans Early Psychosis Intervention Program
and
Louise Bush
Members of EPIC-NOLA’s Moms Group
