CLEVELAND — United Way of Greater Cleveland continued its Community Conversation series Thursday night with a forum focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and substance use, along with access to care and treatment.
The COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the mental health and well-being of communities across the country, including Ohio. Forum organizers say the pandemic exposed the preexisting disparities in access to behavioral health care services, especially in underserved communities, but also presented new opportunities in delivering behavioral health services, particularly with the expansion of telehealth regulations both at the federal and state levels.
The assembled panel of experts discussed COVID's impact on community mental health and substance use, service delivery opportunities and barriers, and long-term programmatic and policy strategies at the local and state levels to adequately address the ongoing behavioral health needs of members of the communities.
Marlene Harris-Taylor, managing producer of the health team at Ideastream Public Media, served as the moderator for the conversation.
The following panel of experts joined Harris-Taylor:
- Lovell Custard, President and CEO, Murtis Taylor Human Services System
- Archie Green, Founder and CEO, Peel Dem Layers Back
- Scott Osiecki, CEO, ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County
- Brittain Paul, COO, Ravenwood Health
You can watch the United Way of Greater Cleveland's Community Conversation below:
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