Mind the Gap: The Cost of Mental Health Disparities 

One in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness, yet access to treatment remains a challenge. This is especially true for lower-income individuals and minority populations who bear a disproportionate burden of both mental health and chronic conditions, which are intrinsically connected, exacerbating the economic hardships they face. In fact, treatment rates among adults vary greatly across demographic groups.  

According to NAMI, Non-Hispanic White adults (52%) are more than twice as likely to receive treatment for a mental illness compared to Asian Americans (25%). Those numbers increase modestly among the Hispanic or Latino (36%) and Black or African American (39%) communities, but still do not achieve parity. A new report from the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College examines the projected impact on the U.S. economy if mental health inequities are not addressed, and the findings are staggering. 

What barriers prevent racial and ethnic minority groups, as well as other marginalized, rural, and under-resourced populations, from accessing treatment? What are the unique mental health needs of racially and ethnically diverse communities? What is the economic cost of not investing in mental health services, treatments, and programs? What can Washington do to help fix these inequities? And how can we change the conversation around minority mental health to reduce stigma and encourage more integrated, equitable care?

This July, in honor of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, please join The Hill as we convene a diverse group of administration officials, lawmakers, medical providers, and advocates to elevate the research and findings of the Meharry School of Global Health’s 2024 study, “The Projected Costs and Economic Impact of Mental Health Inequities in the United States,” to help meet the needs of America’s underserved communities.

LOCATION
The Columbus Club, Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002, and streaming nationwide

DATE & TIME
Wednesday, July 24
7:45 AM ET Registration & Networking
8:30 AM ET Programming begins
10:00 AM ET Programming concludes

Program Segments:

HEADLINERS INTERVIEW | Mental Health Policy, Not Politics (In conversation with Cheyanne M. Daniels, Race & Politics Reporter, The Hill)

• Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Co-Chair, Task Force on Mental Health & Substance Use Disorder
• Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Member, House Financial Services Committee; Founder, Clubhouse Caucus

REPORT OVERVIEW | Projected Costs and Economic Impact (In conversation with Cheyanne M. Daniels, Race & Politics Reporter, The Hill)

• Daniel Dawes, Founding Dean & SVP, Meharry School of Global Health, Meharry Medical College; Author, The Political Determinants of Health

PANEL DISCUSSION | Advocating for Equity (In conversation with Cheyanne M. Daniels, Race & Politics Reporter, The Hill)

• Daniel Gillison, CEO, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• Dr. Patrice Harris, Co-Founder & CEO, eMed; Former President, American Medical Association (AMA)
• Dr. Gary Puckrein, President & CEO, National Minority Quality Forum
• Chris DeCou, Head – Global Behavioral Health, Amazon

SPONSOR PERSPECTIVE  | Otsuka

• Caroline Fisher-O’Neill, Director – Alliance Development, Government Affairs & Public Policy, Otsuka America Pharmaceutical Inc.
• Greselda Butler, Director – Independent Medical Education & External Relations, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization

HEADLINER INTERVIEW | Mental Health Inequities (In conversation with Cheyanne M. Daniels, Race & Politics Reporter, The Hill)

• Dr. Billina Shaw, Senior Medical Advisor, Center for Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 

Have a question? Reach us on social media @TheHillEvents using #TheHillMentalHealth

Sponsor:

Otsuka is a healthcare company driven by our purpose and defined by our beliefs. At Otsuka, we hold a deep respect for the value of every mind, and we will not rest until mental illnesses and brain diseases are approached with the same priority and urgency as our physical health and recognized as chronic diseases that warrant early, equitable, and accessible intervention. Otsuka is committed to shaping and responding to the regulatory, reimbursement and legislative environment so that we can research, develop, and deliver treatment to those in need. Through products, programs, policies, and advocacy, Otsuka-people will defy any limitation that stands in their way until every mind is valued. Discover our commitment to health for every mind.