October 30, 2018

WATCH: Cassidy Hosts Louisiana Mental Health Summit

Baton Rouge—U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), today hosted the Louisiana Mental Health Summit in Baton Rouge, bringing together federal, state, and local leaders to discuss and promote the implementation of proven methods to improve mental health care in Louisiana and the country.

“This is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue because you can approach it from any angle you wish and it comes down that it is better for the patient, it is better for their family and it is better for society,” said Dr. Cassidy. “And unfortunately we see example after example of the negative effects of ignoring it upon society.”

Guest speakers at today’s summit included City of Baton Rouge/EBRP Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, best-selling author Pete Earley, National Institute of Mental Health Director Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D., Deputy Director of the Office of the Chief Medical Officer at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Cynthia Kemp, and Associate Deputy Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance at the U.S. Department of Justice Ruby Qazilbash.

Dr. Cassidy is a passionate leader for improving mental health care. Cassidy introduced the bipartisan Mental Health Reform Act, landmark legislation to reform our country’s broken mental health system that was signed into law in 2016. Cassidy is working to ensure the law is fully implemented, and urged the Trump Administration to enforce federal mental health parity laws. He also introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year to give schools more resources to address mental health.

Downloadable, broadcast-quality video from the summit:

Opening remarks by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (YouTube)

City of Baton Rouge/EBRP Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome Opening Remarks (YouTube)

Downloadable, broadcast-quality video of interviews with summit speakers:

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (YouTube)

National Institute of Mental Health Director Joshua A. Gordon, M.D., Ph.D. (YouTube)

Best-selling author Pete Earley (YouTube)

St. Tammany Parish President Pat Brister (YouTube)

*UPDATE*

Downloadable resources from the Summit:

Current NIH Funding Opportunities and Announcements

Comprehensive Community Crisis Services: Structure and Standards

SAMHSA Criminal Justice Resources to Better Serve People with Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders

SAMHSA Training and Technical Assistance Resources

Operationalizing Civil Commitment: The Arizona Experience

The Tucson Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Model: A prevention focused approach to crisis and public safety

Creating a Culture of Collaboration & Learning

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Solutions Community Presentation

2016 Success Results Cost Avoidance Report 8 Year Analysis

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