Caption: Jacobson attends an event as an expert across multiple topics regarding ASD and MHPAEA advocacy. As a mother of a children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Kristin Jacobson remembers times when she could only focus on getting through the next task at hand. “I remember I watched the documentary ‘Autism, the Musical’ and there … Continued

When Anna Jackson was first diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, her body was signaling a profound struggle within. “My hair was falling out, my eyes were sunken in, and I was so undernourished that if I stood up, I’d pass out,” Jackson said. “I had to undergo re-feeding because my bones were eating themselves.” Like 70% … Continued

Representatives from The Kennedy Forum, Third Horizon, and the American Medical Association helped audiences understand how to navigate the Mental Health Parity Index, a remarkable new tool that the organizations launched to aid transparency about gaps in mental health care. More than156 million Americans with commercial insurance are often forced out-of-network for mental health treatment, … Continued

Joint Statement by American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Psychological Association, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action, Inseparable, The Kennedy Forum, Legal Action Center, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance for Eating Disorders, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, National Council on Problem Gambling, and … Continued

Caption: Faith Carlson with her brother, Andrew Faith Carlson, a Clinical Therapist specializing in eating disorder treatment at Victus Counseling, was drawn to the field after learning that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition, second only to opioid use disorder. She wanted to make a difference in helping those … Continued

A new development has emerged in a suit filed against the Trump White House. The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC) sued the Departments of Labor, Treasury, and Health and Human Services to stop the final parity rule, which helps ensure access to insurance-covered mental health care. The Trump Administration asked for an extension to respond to … Continued

In a new letter led by The Kennedy Forum and signed by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy, & Action, Inseparable, Legal Action Center, Mental Health America, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, … Continued

The Kennedy Forum Offers Resources to Support State Model Legislation When a mental health insurance claim is submitted, there are numerous points at which people may get denied because parity is not strongly enforced – largely due to a lack of streamlined reporting, according to The Kennedy Forum Senior Director of Policy Lauren Finke. “In … Continued

During the World Economic Forum in Davos, brain health emerged as a “top priority” for world leaders, according to Forbes. Though brain health is broadly defined as optimal function of the brain, The Kennedy Forum and West Health led two sessions focused on how brain health can ultimately affect economic and public health outcomes.  At … Continued

The Kennedy Forum Chief Policy Officer Nathaniel Z. Counts, JD co-authored a new study that helps illustrate how government analysts might account for long-term economic benefits of good youth mental health policy.  Key findings: A hypothetical policy of early intervention and integrated care has the potential to:  Counts’ report was published by open-access journal PLOS … Continued