Advocacy

The Council advocates with state and federal government leaders to enact legislation and promote increases in appropriations aimed to improve the lives of Missourians diagnosed with severe mental illness or a substance use disorder. Advocating in the public policy sphere strengthens our member organizations by giving them the tools necessary for Missourians to lead productive lives in their respective communities.

We work closely with state leaders in the Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health and Department of Social Services, MO HealthNet Division to bring innovative and cutting-edge practices into the statewide behavioral health provider system. Current and past initiatives include:

• Telehealth services and availability

• Substance use disorder treatment system redesign

• Implementation of the national 988 behavioral health crisis and suicide prevention line