NatCon25 Award Winner Spotlight: Virna Little

Each year at NatCon, we recognize and celebrate individuals whose passion and purpose are creating a lasting impact in their community. This year, we are proud to present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Virna Little, PsyD, LCSW-R, SAP, CCM, cofounder of Concert Health and Zero Overdose. We sat down with Little to learn more about her organizations and what mental wellbeing means to her.

You’ve founded two impactful organizations. Can you tell us about them?

“I’ve had the privilege of cofounding two organizations deeply committed to improving mental health and saving lives. About eight years ago, I cofounded Concert Health, a behavioral health medical group that delivers Collaborative Care through primary care practices. We’re now active in 21 states and have served more than 110,000 patients. Concert Health has become a national leader in Collaborative Care delivery, advocacy and research.

“Four years ago, I founded Zero Overdose, a national nonprofit with a mission to reduce overdose events and deaths. We currently work in 36 states, helping expand the use of overdose safety plans and offering a proactive, compassionate approach to preventing overdose and saving lives.”

How does your work help people and communities thrive?

“Helping bring evidence-based mental health care to more than 100,000 people through Concert Health has been incredibly rewarding. And at Zero Overdose, we’ve trained thousands of first responders, health care providers, behavioral health professionals and community members in overdose safety planning. These trainings have expanded access to lifesaving tools in communities nationwide.

“Mentorship is also a huge part of my mission. I’ve worked with more than 100 students during my career, many of whom have gone on to build careers in mental health and work in my organizations. Supporting the next generation of leaders is one of the most fulfilling parts of what I do.”

Has consulting played an important role in your career?

“Absolutely. Early in my career, I helped expand mental health services at a New York Federally Qualified Health Center, growing access to more than 200,000 mental health services annually. That experience shaped how I think about scalable, sustainable care.

“Over the past 20 years, I’ve provided technical assistance and consulting support through organizations like the AIMS Center and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. I’ve worked across all 50 states — and internationally — to advance integrated behavioral health.

“Most recently, I’ve partnered with Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across New York on implementing Zero Suicide and expanding Zero Overdose. I’m also working with the state to bring Collaborative Care into pediatric practices, which has been a really exciting and meaningful development.”

What drives you most in your work?

“What I enjoy most is working at the systems level — advocating for policy change, collaborating with states and helping expand access to care through legislative and regulatory efforts. Expanding the use of Collaborative Care codes, in particular, directly increases access to mental health treatment, and that’s incredibly fulfilling.”

What does mental wellbeing — and winning this award — mean to you?

“To me, mental wellbeing means building systems of care that are compassionate, accessible and grounded in evidence. It’s about meeting people where they are and ensuring no one falls through the cracks. And winning this award is deeply meaningful. It’s an honor to be recognized by so many friends, colleagues and partners who have been on this journey with me. We’ve worked side by side for years to expand access to care and save lives, and this recognition reflects the power of our collective effort.”

Join Little and thousands of others at NatCon25! Register by April 22 to save $100 on the price of admission. To view past Awards of Excellence winners, click here.