Closing “The Treatment Gap.”
Clearly, achieving equity in health care to address mental illness must be pursued in stages. ARETÉ SCIENCE has developed a bold, actionable three-step approach to transform mental health care. Through awareness, systemic reform, and integrated care models, we aim to create a future where no one is left behind.
Stage One: Increase Awareness and Reduce Stigma Through Strategic Media Saturation
The First Stage will focus on raising awareness and changing the attitudes of the public, media, health care providers, corporations, life sciences companies, Congress and governmental agencies regarding issues of mental illness and mental health care. We aim to saturate the public sphere with accurate, compelling, and scientifically grounded information through broadcast, print and internet-based media.
By addressing stigma and misinformation, we will pave the way for greater understanding and compassion.
Key Initiatives:
Media campaigns featuring experts and lived experiences
Podcasts, public forums, and expert-led workshops
Partnerships with media outlets to improve mental health reporting
Stage Two: Redesign the Mental Health Care System
The Second Stage will create services to provide the currently unmet clinical needs of people with Behavioral Brain Disorders. Our ultimate goal is to establish scalable, integrated systems that provide state-of-the-art mental health care and close “the treatment gap.” This includes healthcare workforce expansion, investment in clinical infrastructure, and evidence-based holistic care models integrated into a true continuum of mental health care.
Key Components:
Train mental health professionals to meet rising demand
Create community-based care centers with integrated services
Develop a comprehensive continuum of care
Stage Three: Proactive Advocacy for Policy and Legislative Reform
Policy change is critical to creating sustainable mental health systems. We will advocate for increased funding, integrated care models, and legislation that prioritizes mental health equity. Third Stage will focus on advocacy efforts for policy changes and orchestrate necessary legislation to establish the infrastructure, workforce, treatment services and standards of care (as well as well as financing mechanisms).
Key Goals:
Expand funding for mental health services
Advocate for the enforcement of the Addiction Equity and Mental Health Parity Act
Push for policies that integrate mental health into primary care systems
Address related issues across socio-economic lines including:
- Advocacy & legislative reform
- Civil Commitment
- Right to refuse treatment, Treatment over objection
- HIPPA
- IMD exclusion
- Mental Health Parity
- Student Mental Health
- Estate and Care Planning
- Criminal Justice and Mental Health Systems