The de Beaumont Foundation and Well Being Trust have released an action guide for local leadersĀ thatĀ emphasizesĀ the urgency ofĀ addressing the growing mental health and addiction issues in their communities resulting fromĀ the COVID-19 pandemic. City and county leaders will be on the front lines of the mental health crisis that began before COVID-19Ā and has been exacerbated by the grief, loneliness, and collective trauma incurred by the pandemic. The report urges actionĀ now and over the long term to prevent further loss of life and livelihood from the decline in the nationās mental health and well-being.Ā
“Supporting a Nation in Crisis: Solutions for Local Leaders to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being During and Post-COVID-19“Ā provides practical steps that policymakers and other local leaders can take to improve their communities‘Ā mental health and well-beingĀ in both the immediate response to COVID-19Ā andĀ theĀ long-termĀ recovery phase.Ā Many recommendations are low-cost orĀ revenue-neutral.Ā
Tyler Norris, MDiv, president and CEO of Well Being Trust, said, “This guide is a call to action and resource for local leadersĀ to be accountable for community outcomes around mental health and well-being. We need to shift from engaging in a collection of projects and initiatives, to implementing system changes, policy solutions and lasting investments that can save lives.”Ā
Brian C.Ā Castrucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, said, “It’s widely recognized that mental health and substance misuse challenges are rising, but many of these issues existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic. To developing lasting policy solutions, we need to go to the root of these problems and think beyond treatment.”Ā Ā
ImmediateĀ recommendations cover areasĀ including:Ā
- Reducing stigma about mental healthĀ
- Bolstering the local workforce to address mental healthĀ
- Supporting existing organizations providing mental health and substance misuse servicesĀ
- Reducing stress, fear, and anxiety surrounding economic fallout from COVID-19Ā
- Augmenting the social safety netĀ
Long-term recommendationsĀ can improve the vital community conditions for well-being. While many are not traditional mental health policies, they directly contribute to long-term promotion of health and well-being and prevention of disease and injury. These recommendationsĀ cover areasĀ including:Ā
- Providing incentivesĀ to createĀ safe, affordable housingĀ
- Addressing employees‘Ā safety needs and financial concernsĀ
- Ensuring access to green space for all peopleĀ
The action guide also featuresĀ recommendations to address the mental health challenges ofĀ populations whoĀ are uniquelyĀ impactedĀ by COVID-19:Ā
- Health professionals and first respondersĀ
- Youth and familiesĀ
- Formerly incarcerated individuals reentering societyĀ
- Individuals with substance use disordersĀ Ā
- Older adultsĀ
- Victims of intimate partner violence, child abuse, and elder abuseĀ
- People of colorĀ Ā
- Undocumented immigrantsĀ
Dowload the report to see the recommendations and 60 policies, programs, and practices.
Download a one-pageĀ summary of the recommendations.
View the report below. (Click “full screen” in the lower right corner.)