Patient Advocacy

Clinicians Advocating for Change: Importance of Public Policy Engagement for Enhancing Patient Care

Speaker(s)

• 

  Andrew Smith, LSW, MPH

  Senior Community Engagement Manager
  Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
• JH

  Jill Harkavy-Friedman, PhD

  Senior Vice President of Research
  American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
  Columbia University

Advocacy can bring about significant positive change for mental health care providers and their patients. It can improve access to care, increase funding for mental health services, and promote better mental health policies. By sharing stories of successful advocacy campaigns, we hope to inspire attendees to become more involved in advocacy efforts and make a difference in their communities. We will also discuss practical ways to get people more involved in advocacy, such as forming coalitions, using social media, and reaching out to local lawmakers. By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to become effective advocates for mental health care in their communities.

Developed in partnership with Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

Psych Congress has partnered with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance to deliver advanced education on mood disorders including Depression and Bipolar Disorder, which affect over 21 million Americans and account for over 50% of the nation’s suicides every year.