Ideas and innovation in behavioral health converge in Orlando

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to legend, Florida has drawn people in a quest to improve health care since Ponce de León came searching for the Fountain of Youth over 500 years ago. Similarly, behavioral health professionals from around the country will venture to Orlando April 20-22 for the National Council Conference, seeking best practices in the new world of health care reforms.

Current policy and payment forces – from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to the Excellence in Mental Health Act – are changing the way health care in the United States is organized and financed. In the midst of this fast-paced evolution, behavioral health providers must learn not just to adapt, but to thrive.

The conference is packed with powerhouses from its opening session on leadership with General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) to a panel discussion on addictions and the importance of treatment with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy, former Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. David Satcher and advocate and activist Ashley Judd.

Over three days, participants will be empowered to navigate the uncertain waters of change with speakers and sessions focused on the future of health care, the power of partnerships and better business practices:

• Speakers such as former White House special advisor Ezekiel Emanuel who predicts the "next big thing" in health care will be "a real focus on mental health and behavioral health" by 2020.
• Researchers, practitioners and policy leaders collaborating on emerging issues such as early onset psychosis with National Council president and CEO Linda Rosenberg talking about the how the coverage provided by the ACA will lead to "one-stop shopping" for mental health and addiction care integrated within routine care.
• Sessions on improved outcomes at lower costs services, including the results from a new survey on balancing the growing importance of excellent crisis services while minding the bottom line.

For a full list of sessions at the National Council Conference, visit: www.thenationalcouncil.org/events-and-training/conference

The National Council for Behavioral Health (National Council) is the unifying voice of America's community mental health and addictions treatment organizations. Together with 2,300 member organizations, it serves more than eight million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders. The organization is committed to ensuring all Americans have access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery and full participation in community life. The National Council, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the Missouri Department of Mental Health pioneered Mental Health First Aid in the U.S. and have trained more than 350,000 individuals to connect youth and adults in need to mental health and addictions care in their communities. To learn more about the National Council, visit www.TheNationalCouncil.org.

Contact:
Todd Post, 202.684.7457, x276
[email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150304/179574LOGO

SOURCE National Council for Behavioral Health

Related Links

http://www.thenationalcouncil.org