Category: Press

In partnership with the Global Law Enforcement and Public Health Association (GLEPHA), the Behavioral Health Foundation is excited to share a new report – “Improving Mental Health Outcomes Through Innovative Programs and Police Partnerships” – featuring case studies from newer programs that target the intersection between mental health and policing. GLEPHA’s Envisaging the Future of Law Enforcement and Public Health project showcases practical examples of law enforcement, public health, and community partnerships from across the globe. The goal of this project was to document innovative partnership approaches that explore effective and humane ways of responding to social and public health issues that have traditionally been criminalized or overly dependent on police.

Experts agree that medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), such as the use of buprenorphine, are the “gold standard” in treating opioid use disorders (OUD). However, access barriers to vital MOUD medications containing buprenorphine (e.g., Suboxone) remain. In late 2022, the Behavioral Health Foundation conducted an independent statewide secret shopping study to assess access to prescribed buprenorphine for MOUD at Tennessee pharmacies. Our Chief Executive Officer, Elliot Pinsly, was invited to present the results to an audience of leading addiction medicine professionals at the 2023 Mid-South Addiction Conference at Vanderbilt University.

The Behavioral Health Foundation and Nashville Organized for Action and Hope (NOAH) proudly present “A Community Response to Mental Health Crisis: From CAHOOTS to Nashville HEALS.” Please join us Thursday, February 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. (CT) for this free educational webinar.

CAHOOTS in Eugene, Oregon, is a nationally recognized community responder program where mental health crisis workers and medics respond to 911 calls instead of law enforcement. CAHOOTS teams intervene and make referrals to health and social services without the uniforms, sirens, and handcuffs that can increase distress for people in crisis.

NASHVILLE – On the first day of November 2021, Commissioner Marie Williams from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) and Director Stephen Smith from the Bureau of TennCare presented budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 to Governor Bill Lee and team at the State Capitol. Across both budget proposals (scroll down for the links), the clear winner was the mental health and well-being of Tennesseans with more than $110 million in new funding proposed related to behavioral health needs.

The Behavioral Health Foundation proudly presents a free interactive Zoom event: “Moving from Diversion to Deflection to Co-Responder and Beyond.” Learn from leading international and regional experts about the exciting field of deflection and pre-arrest diversion. Please join us Thursday, June 24, at 10:00 a.m. (CT) for a one-hour presentation followed by an interactive Q&A, featuring worldwide-renowned speaker Jac Charlier (PTACC & TASC CHJ), special guest Judge Dan Eisenstein (TN Diversion Coalition), and host Elliot Pinsly (Behavioral Health Foundation).

Elliot Pinsly, President & CEO of the Behavioral Health Foundation, will be accepting the 2021 George Goodman Brudney and Ruth P. Brudney Social Work Award from Mental Health America (MHA) at their annual conference in Washington, DC, on June 11, 2021. This major national honor recognizes significant contributions made to improve the care and treatment of people with lived mental health experience.