Laura Shannonhouse, Ph.D. experienced what she considers a highlight of her career this past December. She was one of 180 that attended the White House Mental Health Summit on December 19 in Washington, D.C. A day before, the Senate increased funding by $329 million to treat mental illness.
The emphasis on the spending increase is to focus on serious mental illness. Especially for those that get missed, dismissed and untreated by current systems. Mental health leaders came together to discuss reforming mental health treatment. Topics focused on combating homelessness, substance abuse, suicide and violence. The summit brought together federal branch and administration heads who discussed, for one, how to access and respond to those who are most vulnerable.
The summit took place in the south auditorium of the Eisenhower building. Shannonhouse was one of a few grant awardees in attendance and touched to be there.
