WILMINGTON, Del. – Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long will host Delaware’s first summit spotlighting the social and economic importance of mental and behavioral health in Delaware on Monday, June 12. The 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware will bring together a variety of stakeholders including local and national thought leaders, community advocates, and government officials.  

As Delaware emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic and looks to the future, there is no better time to strategize, collaborate, and take a deep dive into the current state of mental and behavioral health. Recent data from the World Health Organization shows a 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression in the year following the start of the pandemic, and one in five children will experience a mental disorder this year, according to the CDC. 

Featured panel discussions will highlight mental and behavioral health data, Delaware’s legislative and policy response to the behavioral health crisis, frontline work led by Delaware community advocates, and more. The Summit will close with a fireside chat with Lt. Governor Hall-Long and The Kennedy Forum founder and former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy around strategies to enhance behavioral and mental health support – from insurance parity to holistic treatment solutions.

Members of the public are welcome to register for the 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware at this Google Docs link. 

NOTE TO MEDIA: Reporters should RSVP to Jen Rini (jennifer.rini@delaware.gov) to attend the Summit. 

 2023 MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUMMIT: PATHWAYS FOR A STRONGER DELAWARE: MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023 

WHAT:          Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long will host Delaware’s first summit spotlighting the social and economic importance of mental and behavioral health in Delaware on Monday, June 12. The 2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware will bring together a variety of stakeholders including local and national thought leaders, community advocates, and government officials.  

WHO:             Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy, Members of the General Assembly, Local and National Health Experts, Community Advocates

WHEN:          Monday, June 12, 2023, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 

WHERE:       Chase Center on the Riverfront, 815 Justison St., Wilmington, DE 19801 

Additional Information on the Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium

 The Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium has been recognized as a national model. The consortium brings together community advocates, law enforcement, healthcare professionals and state leaders to address this crisis and help impacted Delawareans and their families. The group coordinates listening sessions, works to reduce the stigma, ensures adequate resources, enhances data and policy, and more. Learn more on the Lt. Governor’s website.

Additional Panel Information

2023 Mental and Behavioral Health Summit: Pathways and Partnerships for a Stronger Delaware 

The Honorable Bethany Hall-Long  

Delaware Lt. Governor and Summit Convenor 

Goal: Led by Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, the summit is intended to convene local, state, regional, and national thought leaders, community advocates, government officials, business and labor leaders dedicated to elevating the social and economic importance of mental and behavioral health in Delaware. 

9:00 a.m. – 9:05 a.m.: Welcome and Opening Remarks: Alexia Wolf, Director, Delaware Behavioral Health Consortium 

9:05 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.: “What’s at Stake”: Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Summit Convenor  

9:15 a.m. – 9:20 am: The Honorable U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) 

9:25 a.m. – 10:05 a.m.: Panel 1: Facts & Figures: Mental and Behavioral Health Data 

Overview: A discussion centered on data and research provided by local and national academic and mental health professionals. 

10:20 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Panel 2: Delaware United: How are DE State Agencies and Legislature Responding to Mental and Behavioral Health Crisis 

Overview: A discussion specifically related to policies and legislative actions taken in recent years by the Delaware legislature.  

Featured Speaker over Lunch: 11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. – Tom Coderre, SAMSHA Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary will share his expertise and vision with the audience.  

12:00 p.m. – 12:40 p.m.: Panel 3: Joining Forces: How Labor and Business Leaders Can Work Together 

Overview: A discussion on labor and business leaders’ workforce challenges relating to the state’s mental and behavioral health crisis and how the two constituencies can collaborate with the government to find a solution. 

1:00 p.m. – 1:40 p.m.: Panel 4: On The Front Lines: The Voices of Community Leaders and Health Care Professionals 

Overview: A discussion highlighting the hard work and bravery of dedicated Delaware residents to improve mental and behavioral health in the state. 

2:05 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.: Armchair Discussion – The Path Forward: Highlighting Strategies to Enhance Behavioral and Mental Health Support in Delaware and Beyond 

Overview: A one-on-one discussion on parity, integrations between behavioral health and substance abuse, prevention and treatment solutions, and innovative technology solutions, creating strategic ways to address current issues and pave a new way forward.  

Participants: Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long and the Honorable Former U.S. Representative Patrick Kennedy 

2:35 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Closing Remarks  

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