Headline

This brief outlines why state policymakers should engage people with lived experience and expertise in behavioral health program and policy design. 

Background

State efforts to address persistent systemic issues and promote behavioral health equity are often overseen by system leaders, but they typically do not prioritize engagement with people directly affected by these issues. This brief details why it is important for state behavioral health policymakers to involve people with lived experience and expertise of behavioral health conditions to improve health equity. It is informed by an environmental scan and interviews with state leaders.  

Findings

The brief is organized in four sections:

1. The Importance of Engaging with People with Lived Experience in Behavioral Health Reforms – Explores the history of policy advocacy among the behavioral health community and the benefits of engaging this population, including the development of more responsive services that meet community needs;
2. Refuting The Skeptics: Addressing Concerns in Engaging People with Lived Experience with Behavioral Health – Summarizes and responds to common concerns that state leaders may have on about involving this population in program and policy design;
3. The Importance of Leadership Champions in Engaging People with Lived Experience – describes how to identify organizational champions and secure buy-in from leadership to move forward with improved engagement strategies;
4. Practical Strategies to Secure Leadership Buy-in for Meaningful Engagement with People with Lived Expertise – Provides communication, research, and strategic planning recommendations and resources to gain support from key leaders and champions.

Takeaways

State behavioral health agencies can consider implementing the strategies and recommendations presented in this brief to build a business case for community and member engagement in reform work.