Regional Policy Council

The Mental Health America (MHA) Regional Policy Council (RPC), established in 2009, is guided by public policy and executive affiliate leaders, known as the RPC Representatives. Working alongside MHA staff these policy experts mobilize grassroots and grass tops advocacy, share information, and provide and facilitate mentorship with MHA affiliates about state and federal legislation and initiatives.

RPC priorities

The most consistent and pressing issues addressed through the RPC include:

• assuring access to non-discriminatory coverage that includes integrated care
• emphasizing prevention and earliest intervention, especially for young people
• increasing access without undue barriers to care and treatment

The RPC advocates to reduce suicide, including building out local 988 systems, and furthering suicide prevention through education and awareness and increasing safety in the home. RPC’s harm reduction activities also include the promotion of deflecting people with mental health and substance use needs away from involvement with the criminal justice system.

RPC education and meetings

In addition to public advocacy, each year the RPC facilitates at least three one-hour webinars and four meetings that coincide with national legislator groups, including:

• National Governors Association (NGA)
• National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)
• Council of State Governments (CSG)

A much-anticipated part of RPC meetings is honoring state legislators as Mental Health and Substance Use Champions. To date, the RPC has recognized over 125 bipartisan state legislative champions.

2025 Regional Meetings

MHA’s Regional Policy Council (RPC) meetings and events coincide with major policymaker groups.

Our in-person Regional Policy Council meetings are tentatively scheduled for

• August 5th in Boston, Massachusetts coinciding with the National Council of State Legislators meeting
• December 9th in Chicago, Illinois coinciding with the Council of State Governments meeting

Please note that any dates listed are tentative and are subject to change. Please contact Elisha Coffey at ecoffey@mhanational.org or Executive Vice President of State and Federal Advocacy Debbie Plotnick at dplotnick@mhanational.org for more information.

*Links to more information for each meeting will be added as updates are announced.

View past RPC meetings