Policymakers and Payers

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention launched the Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19 steering committee of public and private sector leaders developed six priorities and related actions in order to foster a comprehensive and impactful response to the significant mental health and suicide prevention needs associated with the coronavirus pandemic.

The Action Alliance’s Mental Health & Suicide Prevention National Response to COVID-19 (National Response) is a diverse, nonpartisan public-private partnership committed to driving meaningful, lasting change in mental health and suicide prevention through collaboration, leadership, and action. The National Response is working to create sustainable and comprehensive solutions to the mental health impacts of this pandemic, while also preparing to address future needs by mitigating risks and building resiliency.

The de Beaumont Foundation and Well Being Trust released an action guide for local leaders that emphasizes the urgency of addressing the growing mental health and addiction issues in their communities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Supporting a Nation in Crisis: Solutions for Local Leaders to Improve Mental Health and Well-Being During and Post-COVID-19” includes more than 60 evidence-based policies, practices, and programs that can prevent further loss of life and livelihood from the nation’s growing mental health crisis.

This guide is a resource for health care systems to improve mental health and well-being in the communities they serve, focusing specifically on saving lives from deaths of despair. The guide endeavors to provide a comprehensive framework in which multiple stakeholders (e.g., people from marginalized populations and communities and leaders in sectors such as health care, education, justice system, local government, employers) can identify themselves and their contributions.

Explores different telehealth interventions that can be implemented for populations experiencing alcohol misuse and categorizes the interventions according to phases of alcohol misuse treatment

Provides an introduction to implementing telehealth services in primary care during COVID-19, including the prerequisites, policies, procedures, and practice

Outlines steps and best practices when implementing telehealth strategies to promote adoption of new technology by healthcare organizations

Provides an overview of telehealth-related mandates and policies during COVID-19 for each State

Reviews policy updates to telehealth services in light of COVID-19 to help primary care practices better serve their patient population via telehealth

Provides guidance to clinicians and practices on using telehealth for substance use services during COVID-19, including benefits of using telehealth, Federal and State policy changes, private payers, and general considerations