A SAMHSA sponsored webinar presented by The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) took place Monday, June 17, 2024 from 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Time titled “Understanding Mental Health and Poverty: Public Health Strategies to Support People with Low Incomes and Mental Health Needs”.
Description
The places where we live, learn, work, and play shape us and our health. Experiences of trauma and discrimination, poor access to health services, and financial strain contribute to rising rates of poor mental health outcomes.
This webinar focused on the mutual relationship between income and mental health. People’s incomes and financial stability affect their health. When people have higher, more stable incomes, they can spend money on things that improve their health. Equally, our health affects our incomes and financial stability. Health problems often make it harder for people to work. This webinar brings together individuals to discuss the role of income in shaping mental health outcomes and strategies to reduce poverty and improve mental health.
During this webinar, the Michigan Public Health Institute highlighted how they are supporting individuals, including people with serious mental illness, and communities through healthcare provider and system approaches. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health shared how the state is working to promote positive childhood experiences and financial stability through public awareness campaigns.
Learning Objectives
- Increased knowledge about the relationship between income and mental health outcomes.
- Learned about strategies and policies for reducing poverty and improving mental health.
- Discussed the role of public health and healthcare in improving mental health outcomes and reducing poverty.
Speakers
- Lindsey Sagasta, (she/her) is the Child and Youth Violence Prevention Epidemiologist within the Bureau of Community Health and Prevention at the MA Department of Public Health.
- Claudia Catalano, (she/her) is the Family and Community Health Policy and System Coordinator within the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition at the MA Department of Public Health.
- Kelsey Sala-Hamrick, PhD (she/her) is a Senior Research Scientist and Clinical Psychologist at Michigan Public Health Institute’s Center for Strategic Health Partnerships. She also serves as Project Director for the Michigan Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Initiative.
If you have any questions, please contact Kelle Masten via email at kelle.masten@nasmhpd.org or Paige Thomas at paige.thomas@nasmhpd.org.
Thank you!