National Council for Mental Wellbeing

10/10/2026

Self-care isn't selfish, it's essential. Caring for yourself can support your mental wellbeing and help you show up for the people and communities around you.

National Council staff, board members, and the Mental Health First Aid USA team shared ways they practice self-care to prioritize their mental health. Because : with a pause, a choice and the understanding that your mental wellbeing matters.

This , join us in building a world where mental wellbeing isn't just possible, but promised. https://bit.ly/4dqMktC

10/08/2026

Operational AI is a broad and fast-changing landscape, but organizing solutions by the burdens they address can make it easier to see where they may fit. With these categories in mind, you can begin connecting your organization's most persistent operational burdens to the types of AI solutions designed to address them.

Explore the framework designed to help you understand the major categories of operational AI solutions that are currently available in the market on our blog: https://bit.ly/4yyaef4

Explore a practical framework for categorizing operational AI solutions in health care, to streamline documentation and more.

10/07/2026

Today, we're launching the National Council Leadership Track, a progressive training program designed to support substance use and mental health care leaders from aspiring managers to experienced executives.

Because leadership development doesn't end with a promotion. It's an ongoing journey.

The Leadership Track helps professionals build the skills they need today while preparing for where their careers go next, and gives organizations a way to strengthen their leadership pipeline for tomorrow.

Learn more about the Leadership Track at TheNationalCouncil.org/LeadershipTrack.

10/07/2026

At Mental Health America's 2026 Policy Institute yesterday, our Senior VP of Public Policy Reyna Taylor joined a panel on federal workforce projections and funding under H.R. 1. She spoke alongside leaders from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), National Association of Community Health Centers, and Mental Health America, with Jennifer Dexter of the National Health Council moderating.

Reyna focused on the providers who make up the behavioral health safety net: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics ( ), Federally Qualified Health Centers ( ) and the workforce that staffs them, including peer specialists. She also spoke about the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program. Those dollars should lead to sustained implementation and build lasting workforce capacity to address the future increase in need for mental health and substance use services projections from HRSA.

Thank you to MHA for convening this conversation ahead of the .

10/07/2026

H.R.1 is reshaping the Medicaid landscape, creating operational challenges for community substance use and mental health providers while opening the door to new opportunities for innovation. Read about what's changing and how innovators can help on the blog: https://bit.ly/4yGjcXU

Explore the implications of H.R.1 and its potential impact on the Medicaid ecosystem amidst upcoming challenges.

10/06/2026

For Akilah Martin, becoming a mental health professional is about more than completing the licensure process. It is about creating a future where more people in her community have access to care.

Through the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Career Accelerator, funded by and developed in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, Akilah has found resources and support to help her navigate the complex journey toward licensure.

She hopes that by working in her community, young people who see themselves in her will also see a future in behavioral health.

Hear more from the career accelerator participants: https://k-p.li/47nEywR

10/05/2026

Applications are now open for Cohort 12 of the Behavioral Health Training Institute for Health Officials (BHTI).

This free training opportunity supports public health officials in:
• Strengthening cross-sector partnerships
• Expanding mental health and substance use supports
• Building workforce capacity and advancing evidence-based behavioral health interventions

Up to 20 health officials of state, tribal, territorial or local governmental public health agencies will be selected, and will also receive free registration to and Mental Health First Aid USA training. Deadline to apply is Friday, Nov. 6: https://bit.ly/3CsXCJk

10/03/2026

10/03/2026

09/30/2026

As National Recovery Month comes to a close, we want to thank everyone who joined us in learning, sharing and supporting recovery.

may be ending, but the work of reducing stigma, increasing understanding and connecting people to resources continues year-round.

Looking for more information about substance use, recovery and ways to support your community? Visit our Substance Use Hub for trusted resources, tools and education: https://bit.ly/4hJsI6g