Health Programs

How does the program influence public policy?

Mrs. Carter's desire to coordinate the efforts of national mental health leaders and organizations led her to initiate the annual Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy in 1985. The symposia, held every November, have examined such issues as mental illness and the elderly, child and adolescent illness, family coping, financing mental health services and research, treating mental illness in the primary care setting, and stigma and mental illness.

The Mental Health Program hosts two meetings each year designed to tackle specific mental health issues of public policy. The Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, established in 1995, is held every May for state mental health organizations. The forum has addressed such topics as "Children's Mental Health: Generating Hope Through Shared Responsibility," "Improving Access for Georgians," and "Recovery: A Journey for Life." 
 
These meetings bring mental health professionals together for open discussions on mental health to affect change. The meetings include representatives from all sectors of the industry — policymakers, health care providers, and consumers.