State of Behavioral Health in the National Capital Region

On Tuesday, March 14th, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) hosted a timely thought leadership discussion on Behavioral Health. The event convened a group of Behavioral Health thought leaders and partners at Whitman-Walker Health's new event space, "The Corner," to discuss the connection between workforce development, economic opportunity, and access to behavioral healthcare for youth in historically low-income communities and communities of color. The event marked an opportunity for community organizations, policymakers, and other stakeholders to engage in dialogue around the challenges we face and the new and innovative approaches some of our recent partners are implementing to address disparities.

CareFirst recently distributed nearly $8 million in grant funding to address behavioral health in the Mid-Atlantic region that went to 19 organizations collectively serving 25,000 people. These grants addressed behavioral health disparities in unique ways for at-risk youth, rural, low-income youth of color and those identifying as LGBTQ+. They also went towards expanding the behavioral health workforce, which is so desperately needed now more than ever.

The event started with an address from Lester Davis, VP, Chief of Staff, CareFirst. It was followed by a fireside chat featuring Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, VP, Community Health and Social Impact, Naseema Shafi, Chief Executive Officer, Whitman-Walker Health and Ryan Moran, Chief Executive Officer, Whitman-Walker Health System.

The fireside chat was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Kimberly Harris, Director of Community Health and Social Impact, National Capital Area, CareFirst. She held an inspiring discussion with Marielle Levy of Arlington Free Clinic, Brittni Dash of SMYAL, Melissa Rothstein of the Association for the Public Defender of Maryland and Pam Lieber of Sasha Bruce Youthwork.

To view the full event discussions, please watch the event recording