Mental Health Idea Exchange: Supply Chain of Social Impact and Innovation in Charlotte, NC
By: Elizabeth Hayden 1, Josh Jacobson 21
Vice President of Strategy Development, Woods System of Care, Bucks County, PA. 2Founder and CEO, Next Stage, Charlotte, NC.
Keywords: mental health, innovation, partnerships, community engagement, workforce crisis, and training.
Abstract
Hosted by RSM’s Nonprofit and Education Industry Leader, Next Stage, and the Foundation For The Carolinas, the Mental Health Idea Exchange held in Charlotte, NC,in October 2024 convened a broad and diverse group of nonprofit, government, foundation, behavioral health provider and education leaders and frontline staff to share innovative models being carried out in the Charlotte region and beyond. Rich discussionsfollowing the panel presentations from multiple regions of the nation revealed common themes focusing on the ongoing need for more behavioral health services to address the opioid crisis, continued falloutfrom the COVID-19 pandemic, stigma associated with mental health challenges, and the need for training and support of mental health providers and educators who in turn support the most vulnerable. The Mental Health Idea Exchange inspired the recognition that Charlotte has evolved in its behavioral health systems approach while recognizing that there is still work to be done.