Mental Health and Substance Use Challenge Prevention and Recovery: Poverty as an Equity Issue

Poverty prevents barriers to equity within all of the Social Determinants of Health—economic stability, safe environment, social and community well-being, and access to quality education and healthcare. In this panel discussion, the Association of State Health Officials and the National Federation of Families bring together individuals with professional and lived expertise to discuss the impact of poverty particularly on access to behavioral health services along the continuum of prevention, crisis intervention, and sustained recovery.  Kimberly Meyers, family member with lived experience of parenting a child with mental health challenges, will share her story of accessing—and at times being unable to access—support services while living in poverty.  National Federation of Families Executive Director Lynda Gargan, PhD, will share her years of experience working across the nation providing technical assistance and training to ensure that all individuals are afforded the opportunity to live in the community of their choice, as well as…