key: cord-0050620-nr8zdl4v authors: Ingoglia, Chuck title: We’re Still Standing: In Difficult Times, Behavioral Health Adapts and Triumphs date: 2020-09-24 journal: J Behav Health Serv Res DOI: 10.1007/s11414-020-09729-x sha: 0765fb271bf2b43703010ff6ace5a2a15a86d4d3 doc_id: 50620 cord_uid: nr8zdl4v nan a virtual training program that would ensure MHFA training would thrive a Herculean task that would draw on the skills and talents of every member of our team. 3 We were overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response of our dedicated instructors; 2160 signed up to be trained in the newly developed program during the first week alone and we recently launched the program nationally. An army of virtually trained Mental Health First Aiders will be soon sweeping the nation. As the country reopens, we will not only continue virtual training and resume our proven in-person training, but we will offer a "blended" program that combines four hours of online education with four hours of in-person instruction. These new innovative curricula incorporating technology will allow us to reach new, untapped populations and equip untold numbers of people with lifesaving MHFA skills. As we take stock of the effects of the pandemic on those closest to us, I urge you to consider your staff. Just because they are trained to help others with their challenges does not mean they are equally adept at dealing with their own. In addition to the stressors inherent in their chosen profession, they face the same problems as your clients: financial struggles, caring for children or other family members, and/or social isolation. How can your leadership style help them through these difficult times? The thoughtful article, "Burnout and Leadership Style in Behavioral Health Care," in this issue of the JBHS&R, provides insight into ways you might prevent employee burnout and its related costs. 4 Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, advocacy has been an active and critical part of our activities at the National Council. We have fought to include behavioral health in recovery packages and advocated for funding to ensure that clinics could continue to provide their clients and their communities with needed mental health support. The power of in-person advocacy has always been central to our advocacy efforts and our annual Hill Day efforts, which have traditionally featured visits to Congressional offices, were not deterred this year. We pivoted to Hill Day At Home and were joined by a record-breaking 2000 advocates from across the nation who reached out to 511 members of Congress with our policy asks, without stepping foot in the halls of Congress. 5 August and September are critical months for grass-roots advocacy when members of Congress return to their home districts. Again, we were undeterred by social distancing and other restrictions and our Summer of Advocacy continued with virtual site visits and meetings with Congressional representatives. A step-by-step toolkit provided support for state-level advocates with details on how to set up appointments to call on legislators to support an emergency appropriation of $38.5 billion for providers of mental health and addiction treatment services. 6 Community mental health and addiction treatment centers have the unique opportunity to engage everyone in their centers, including clients, in nonpartisan voter registration, and education. Once again, the National Council took a leadership role with our annual Get Out the Vote Campaign, with a few twists to adapt to our new COVID-19 world. 7 The National Council developed the Get Out the Vote 2020 Toolkit to guide organizations as they create, launch, and sustain a successful voter registration and voter education program for the 2020 General Election Cycle. 8 This year, in addition to traditional registration information, we are providing tips on using social media, email, and other non-traditional techniques to let clients who are unable to visit clinics in person know about the issues, changes to voting, and public health measures they can take while voting to reduce their risk of infection. Yes, the behavioral health community is still standing! But beset by the COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented economic dislocation, and historic social upheaval sparked by the Black Lives Matter movement following the killing of George Floyd, it's not enough to just stand; we must stand for something! The upcoming election will be one of the most hotly contested in recent memory. This year, every vote counts and every voice must be heard. While the focus may be on the Presidential race, I urge you to find out where your local and state leaders stand on health-related issues, from Senate and Congress to your city council and mayor. It's part of the privilege and responsibility ensured by the Constitution. Make sure you are heard-vote on November 3rd! Physicians and Other Clinicians: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 How to #BeTheDifference For People With Mental Health Concerns During COVID-19. National Council for Behavioral Health Coming Soon: Virtual Option for Mental Health First Aid. National Council for Behavioral Health Burnout and leadership style in behavioral health care: A literature review National Council for Behavioral Health Summer of Advocacy: A Toolkit for Meeting with Your Members of Congress Virtually Available online at https:// www.thenationalcouncil.org/policy-action/get-out-the-vote National Council's Voter Registration Toolkit: Get Out-the-Vote in 2020