Experts Discuss Mental Health Policy Priorities for New Administration at Bloomberg Center Event
View the photo gallery below.
Mental health leaders, researchers, and policy advocates gathered at the Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C. on February 27, for the event “A Mental Health in All Policies Agenda for the New Administration,” a critical discussion on how all types of public policy, including economic policy, impact mental health. The event featured a robust panel discussion that included Brian Castrucci, DrPH (President & CEO, de Beaumont Foundation), Sally Satel, MD (Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute), Ruth Shim, MD, MPH (Luke & Grace Kim Professor in Cultural Psychiatry, UC Davis Health), and Hannah Wesolowski, MPA (Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Framing Mental Health as a Policy Imperative
After a welcome from Matt Eisenberg, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy, Keshia Pollock Porter, PhD, Bloomberg Centennial Chair in Health Policy and Management, made a compelling case for a “Health in All Policies” approach, emphasizing that health outcomes are shaped by economic, social, and environmental policies—not just healthcare systems. She illustrated this with real-world examples, including how urban planning decisions, such as the placement of housing near highways, impact residents’ mental well-being.
Catherine Ettman, PhD, Assistant Professor, Bloomberg School of Public Health, moderated the discussion and began by reinforcing that mental health is a bipartisan concern affecting all communities and requiring cross-sector policy action. The discussion then turned to key areas shaping the national mental health crisis, from structural determinants like income inequality and housing instability to individual agency and clinical care.
Upstream Solutions and Economic Policy
Ruth Shim, a psychiatrist and leading expert on social determinants of mental health, highlighted that mental health inequities stem from “the causes of the causes of the causes”—structural injustices, policy failures, and economic disparities. She cited evidence linking income inequality to higher depression rates and argued for policy solutions like expanding the Child Tax Credit and increasing investments in economic stability programs.
Sally Satel, drawing on her experience as a psychiatrist, acknowledged the role of social determinants but emphasized the individual’s agency in managing mental health challenges. She pointed to employment as a critical factor in recovery, arguing that job access provides purpose, structure, and social support.
Policy Successes and Challenges
Hannah Wesolowski of NAMI underscored that while mental health policy has gained bipartisan traction, barriers remain to sustained progress. She cited the expansion of early psychosis intervention programs and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as significant wins. Still, she warned that these programs remain underfunded and only serve a fraction of those in need.
Brian Castrucci posited that “America makes you sick,” noting that systemic reforms were needed to prioritize housing, job security, and economic policies, rather than reactive healthcare spending. He stressed the need for a narrative shift, urging policymakers to view mental health not as an individual issue but as a collective societal responsibility.
Bridging Political Divides
The panelists acknowledged the political challenges of advancing mental health policies but highlighted rare bipartisan momentum around mental health reform. Castrucci noted that mental health is a “purple issue” with the potential to unite policymakers from both sides of the aisle, particularly given its impact on workplaces, communities, and families.
However, challenges remain. Panelists discussed the threat of state preemption laws blocking local mental health initiatives and the impact of federal budget cuts on public health funding. They urged more significant investment in affordable housing, universal pre-K, and income security programs as foundational to improving national mental health outcomes.
Hope for the Future
Despite the systemic barriers, panelists found hope in rising public engagement and generational shifts in mental health awareness. Younger generations, they noted, speak more openly about mental health, advocate for change, and are reshaping workplace and school environments to prioritize well-being.
The event concluded with a call to action: mental health must be integrated into every policy decision—from economic planning to education to criminal justice. As the new administration sets its priorities, experts stressed that addressing mental health at the policy level is essential for building a healthier, more resilient nation.
A video of the event can be viewed here. Attendees were encouraged to continue the discussion at upcoming CMAP Bloomberg Center convenings on March 17 and April 1.
The event was sponsored in part by the Johns Hopkins Nexus Award.
Photo Gallery
From left to right: Matthew Eisenberg, Hannah Wesolowski, Sally Satel, Brian Castrucci, Ruth Shim, Catherine Ettman, Keshia Pollack Porter.
Center for Mental Health & Addiction Policy Director Matthew Eisenberg speaks to audience.
Keshia Pollack Porter, Bloomberg Centennial Chair & Professor, gives opening remarks.
Moderator and panelists seated on stage. From left to right: Catherine Ettman, Ruth Shim, Sally Satel, Hannah Wesolowski, Brian Castrucci.
Ruth Shim, UC Davis Health Professor, shares her thoughts during panel discussion.
American Enterprise Initiative Senior Fellow Sally Satel listens during panel discussion.
NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski shares her thoughts during panel discussion.
NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski shares her thoughts during panel discussion while moderator and fellow panelists listen.
de Beaumont Foundation President & CEO Brian Castrucci speaks to audience during panel discussion.
de Beaumont Foundation President & CEO Brian Castrucci speaks to audience during panel discussion.
UC Davis Health Professor Ruth Shim grins at Health Policy & Management Assistant Professor Catherine Ettman.
American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Sally Satel answers question during panel discussion.
UC Davis Health Professor Ruth Shim converses with American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Sally Satel during panel discussion.
From left to right: Catherine Ettman, Ruth Shim, Sally Satel, Hannah Wesolowski, Brian Castrucci.
From left to right: Catherine Ettman, Ruth Shim, Sally Satel, Hannah Wesolowski, Brian Castrucci.
American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow Sally Satel converses with audience member after the panel discussion.
de Beaumont Foundation President & CEO Brian Castrucci converses with audience members after the panel discussion.
UC Davis Health Professor Ruth Shim converses with audience members after the panel discussion.
NAMI Chief Advocacy Officer Hannah Wesolowski converses with audience member after the panel discussion.
Health Policy & Management Bloomberg Centennial Chair Keshia Pollack Porter converses with audience member after the panel discussion.
Health, Risk and Society Chair Susan Chemerynski converses with fellow audience member.
Health Policy & Management Assistant Professor Catherine Ettman mingles with event crowd.
Sally Satel, American Enterprise Institute Senior Fellow, converses with audience member.
Nikki Ucheya, Health Policy & Management Marketing Specialist, chats with Assistant Professor Catherine Ettman and de Beaumont Foundation President Brian Castrucci.
UC Davis Health Professor Ruth Shim speaks to small group of audience members.
Brian Castrucci speaks to two audience members.
Health Policy & Management Department Chair Keshia Pollack Porter and Center for Mental Health & Addiction Policy Director Matthew Eisenberg smile with Bloomberg School students.
