Ensuring the overall mental health and well-being of children, youth, and adults through prevention approaches and increased access to high quality mental health services and supports is an essential component of health policy work in states. The major uptick in mental health challenges accompanying the COVID-19 pandemic has revitalized efforts to modernize our mental health systems.

NASHP supports states in identifying, exchanging, and implementing cross-sector policy, payment, and delivery options to improve access to best practice mental health interventions. This work includes a focus on building crisis systems in states — including in rural areas.