Hyde to speak at mental health conference

The Mental Health Council of Arkansas is delighted to announce that PAMELA S. HYDE, J.D., Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services will deliver the keynote address at the 41st Annual Behavioral Health Institute, in Hot Springs, August 7th at the Hot Springs Convention Center. 

Pamela Hyde was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2009 as Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The agency’s mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. “Having Ms. Hyde in Arkansas will benefit not only our attendees but also will provide Ms. Hyde information on how the Affordable Care Act will impact Arkansans. We are very fortunate to have the Director of SAMHSA attend the Behavioral Health Institute and present information from a national perspective to our attendees,” said Pamela Christie, Executive Director for the Mental Health Council of Arkansas.

Ms. Hyde is an attorney and comes to SAMHSA with more than 35 years’ experience in management and consulting for public healthcare and human services agencies. She has served as a state mental health director, state human services director, city housing and human services director, as well as CEO of a private non-profit managed behavioral healthcare firm. In 2003 she was appointed cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department by Gov. Bill Richardson, where she worked effectively to provide greater access to quality health services for everyone.

Ms. Hyde is a member of or has served as a consultant to many national organizations, including the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the American College of Mental Health Administration, the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health and the United States Department of Justice. She has been recognized by many groups, including the American Medical Association, the National Governor’s Association and the Seattle Management Association, for her creativity and leadership in policy and program development and in organizational management issues. She has received special acknowledgment for her ability to build teams, develop coalitions and consensus, develop strategic plans that form the basis for action and achieve identified goals in a constantly changing environment.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an operating division within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is charged with reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities. SAMHSA pursues this mission at a time of significant change. Health reform has been enacted, bringing sweeping improvements in how the United States delivers, pays for, and monitors health care. The evidence base behind behavioral health prevention, treatment, and recovery services continues to grow and promises better outcomes for people with and at risk for mental and substance use disorders.

All of this is happening at a time when State budgets are shrinking and fiscal restraint is a top priority. Recognizing the need to balance these opportunities and challenges, SAMHSA has identified eight Strategic Initiatives to focus its limited resources on areas of urgency and opportunity. The Initiatives will enable SAMHSA to respond to national, State, Territorial, Tribal, and local trends and support implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addictions Equity Act.

People are at the core of SAMHSA’s mission, and these Initiatives will guide SAMHSA’s work through 2014 to help people with mental and substance use disorders and their families to build strong and supportive communities, prevent costly and painful behavioral health problems, and promote better health for all Americans. In 2011 and beyond, SAMHSA will work to improve understanding about mental and substance use disorders, promote emotional health and the prevention of substance abuse and mental illness, increase access to effective treatment, and support recovery. SAMHSA’s Strategic Initiatives will address trauma; support military families; improve access to culturally competent, high-quality care; develop community, peer, and family support; build information systems; and promote important messages about behavioral health while adjusting to changing conditions. By working across health, justice, social services, education, and other systems and with State, Territorial, Tribal, and other partners, SAMHSA will lead the way to improving the Nation’s behavioral health.

For more details and information about the 41st Behavioral health Institute or to Register please visit the conference website or http://www.mhca.org/41st-annual-behavioral-health-institute/

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:



The Mental Health Council of Arkansas is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors representing each of the 14 participating community mental health centers and their affiliates. The MHCA assists its members to achieve the goal of community based treatment which focuses on the whole person with emphasis on physical, mental and emotional wellness and by promoting the comprehensive diagnostic, treatment, and wrap around services provided by the non-profit Community Mental Health Centers of Arkansas. The MHCA is dedicated to improving the overall health and well-being of all Arkansans and communities throughout Arkansas. With over 50 psychiatrists and 2,000 health care professionals, participating members of the MHCA provide comprehensive services specially designed to meet the individual behavioral healthcare needs of Arkansas’ citizens.