key: cord-0020008-l78tn40p
authors: Ingoglia, Chuck
title: What’s in a Name? A Lot! Ours Is Now the National Council for Mental Wellbeing
date: 2021-08-20
journal: J Behav Health Serv Res
DOI: 10.1007/s11414-021-09768-y
sha: 3353873446f09106bb8e6ba44528ea3962075aa3
doc_id: 20008
cord_uid: l78tn40p

nan

for their communities. Our vision defines the purpose of our organization. It explains how we want to make the world a better place. This is a lofty goal, but everything we do relates to it. If not, then why are we here? We want to make mental wellbeing, including recovery from substance use challenges, a reality for everyone. The words may be a little different, but our vision, our North Star, has never changed.

But a lot has changed over the past year, and we are preparing ourselves to confront new challenges and take advantage of emerging opportunities through the lens of mental wellbeing. The articles in this issue of JBHS&R reflect this commitment.

As we continue to grapple with the mental health and substance use challenges brought about by a global pandemic, people across our nation have taken to the streets demanding change surrounding systemic racism and its devastating effects. We are taking bold steps to reverse the racially driven inequities that permeate our healthcare systems, but there is a crying need for self-examination. The study by McMaster, Peeples, and Schaffner et al. in this issue of JBHS&R examining disparities in the care of Black and White clients seeking mental healthcare provides much-needed insight about our current efforts to implement culturally competent care. 2 One of the most visible changes in mental health and substance use treatment in recent years, one that has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, is the advent of nontraditional mental healthcare services and tools like mobile apps, peer counselors, and online support groups. No doubt, they've increased access to and utilization of services related to mental wellbeing. But how do they compare to traditional services, especially among tech-savvy adolescents and young adults? The survey by Cohen, Stiles-Shields, and Winquist et al. reported in this issue of JBHS&R will help us find out. 3 Individuals recently released from jail or prison with serious mental illnesses face unique vulnerabilities because of the coronavirus pandemic. A study by Barrenger and Bond published in this issue of JBHS&R aims to increase understanding of how they experienced the pandemic during initial stay-at-home orders in New York City and ways they coped with changes to their services, including suspensions of some supportive services. The results will help us understand how comprehensive reentry services may need to be adapted to address the multiple needs of individuals and to facilitate community reintegration. 4 Today, the work of mental health and substance use treatment organizations is more important than ever. Our challenge is to ensure that everyone has access to comprehensive, high-quality, and affordable treatment when they need it. By promoting comprehensive approaches to prevention, treatment, and recovery supports, we will ensure mental wellbeing is a reality for everyone.

As we move forward, we strive to make the National Council for Mental Wellbeing a household name.

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Mental healthcare provider perceptions of race and racial disparity in the care of Black and White clients

Traditional and nontraditional mental healthcare services: usage and preferences among adolescents and younger adults

Mental health and service impacts during COVID-19 for individuals with serious mental illnesses recently released from prison and jail