Cooley Dickinson to Host Mental Health Policy Breakfast, May 19

NORTHAMPTON – Cooley Dickinson Health Care is co-sponsoring a Mental Health Policy Breakfast with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Friday, May 19, from 9 to 11:30 am at the Northampton Senior Center.

The breakfast will preface presentations by peer groups including Starlight, the Recovery Learning Community and the western Mass. chapter of NAMI; a panel discussion featuring state and federal perspectives on mental health care; and a Question-and-Answer session with panelists and other mental health advocates.

Panelists will include Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg; Rep. Peter Kocot; Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Director Julie Schwager; Western Mass. NAMI representative Ella Smolenski; Cooley Dickinson Integrated Behavioral Health Medical Director Dr. Peter Halperin, plus staff from Senator Elizabeth Warren’s office.

Topics of discussion will include why parity is important; breaking down stigma; what’s been accomplished with respect to mental health parity; what directions the future holds for policy and how changes to the Affordable Care Act might impact behavioral health services. Mental health advocates will also explore the best ways to focus advocacy efforts and will work to identify targets for effective advocacy.

Event:   Mental Health Policy Breakfast/Panel Discussion
Sponsors:  Cooley Dickinson Health Care, NAMI
Location:  Northampton Senior Center
Date/Time:  Friday, May 19, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Features:  State & Local legislators, Mental Health Advocates

For more information about the event, visit the event page or contact:

Jeff Harness
Director of Community Health/Government Relations
Cooley Dickinson Health Care
(413) 582-2035
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