On Sept. 17, Mental Health America carried out its 2024 National Policy Institute: Social Drivers of Mental Health in Washington, D.C. The program explored the influence of social drivers akin to integrating care in colleges, housing, meals, and financial safety on the psychological well being of youth and their households. Experts mentioned the want for extra social employees to fulfill the wants of college students, how creating communities that help housing for all is the resolution to homelessness, and the way youth can depend on friends to know what is offered to them in the type of financial help in our communities.
Participants included Simon Borger, VP for Mental Health and Wellness at Policy Institute sponsor Kaiser Permanente; Lena O’Rourke, Healthy Schools Campaign; Jessica Lee, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services; Richard Cho, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; Sakeenah Shabazz, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Tegan Lecheler, Bridge Project; Anna Bailey, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities; and Saiarchana Darira, an alumna of MHA’s Youth Policy Accelerator.
At the finish of the day, the Youth Policy Advocacy Award was introduced to Cole Ramsey of Indiana. When introduced with the award, Cole shared, “I implore leaders across the nation in small rural areas like mine or in large urban environs to just follow the lead and give them a seat at the table because youth know the best way to address mental health. They’ve lived it.”
Ann Miller is a certified mental health coach and wellness writer with a strong background in psychology and emotional resilience. With over a decade of experience in helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, and burnout, Ann specializes in making complex mental health topics accessible and empowering.
She holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and has worked with both individual clients and organizations to promote emotional well-being and work-life balance. Through her writing, Ann aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health and offer practical, compassionate guidance for everyday challenges.
When she's not writing or consulting, Ann enjoys early morning yoga, quiet reading time, and exploring nature trails with her dog. Her personal philosophy: "Mental health is not a luxury — it’s a foundation for everything we do."