National Council to Present First-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, 2022 Legislator of the Year Awards and Advocacy Leadership Awards During Hill Day at Home

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is recognizing a group of extraordinary lawmakers, advocates and organizations dedicated to expanding access to lifesaving mental health and substance use treatment during Hill Day at Home 2022 (June 8), its annual advocacy event promoting bipartisan solutions for mental health and substance use providers and patients.

With its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Council honors U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri) for his decades of leadership improving the mental wellbeing of communities in Missouri and across the nation, including the creation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).  

“Nearly one in five Americans has a diagnosable, and almost always treatable, mental or behavioral health issue. The Excellence in Mental Health Act, which I worked with Senator Stabenow to get signed into law in 2014, created Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics that play a critical role in helping people get the care they need faster and closer to home. In Missouri, over the past four years, CCBHCs have increased access to care by 27% and significantly reduced visits to emergency departments and hospitals. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in establishing community-based mental health and addiction treatment and will continue working to get the Excellence program expanded nationwide. I’m very honored to receive this recognition and grateful for the National Council’s partnership as we continue our efforts toward treating mental health like all other health.”

Senator Roy Blunt

“Over his illustrious career, Senator Blunt has been a tireless champion for people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges, as well as the provider organizations that treat and support them. His role in creating the CCBHC program and continuing push for its expansion has increased access to lifesaving services for millions of people, giving us a blueprint to transform how we treat mental health and substance use challenges in our communities. We are honored to have collaborated closely with Senator Blunt over the years and will forever be grateful for his leadership.”

Chuck Ingoglia, National Council president and CEO.

Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-California 6th District) will receive the 2022 Legislator of the Year award.

“I am honored to receive this recognition from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, a great partner and advocate in driving change for people living with mental health and substance use disorder challenges.  I look forward to continuing our work together to build a stronger, more accessible mental health system.”

Senator Mike Crapo

“Senator Crapo’s leadership and unwavering support for expanding access to critical services in underserved areas is invaluable. Too many people in our country live in areas where mental health and substance use care isn’t readily available – a reality Senator Crapo is dedicated to changing. We’re incredibly thankful for the opportunity to partner with him and commend his commitment to expanding access to services through CCBHCs, expanding telehealth capabilities, and promoting integrated physical and mental health care services in Idaho and across the country.”

Chuck Ingoglia

“Thank you to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing for this award, I am honored to be named the 2022 Legislator of the Year. Expanding access to care and achieving mental health parity have long been some of my most important priorities in Congress, and I am proud to fight every day to support individuals and families impacted by mental health challenges and substance use disorders. We must continue to take bold steps to further access to equitable care so that all patients can receive the necessary behavioral health treatments and comprehensive support services they depend on. Mental health is central to our well-being; I look forward to our continued work together to promote policies that tackle these challenges head on and build a supportive ecosystem that enriches all our lives.”

Congresswoman Doris Matsui

“Through her longstanding work on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congresswoman Matsui has led the way in advancing key policies that will have a lasting impact in our field – including the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act of 2021, and critical efforts around 988 implementation, support for the behavioral health workforce and expansion of access to substance use disorder services. The mental health and substance use treatment community is grateful for her guidance and proud to work alongside her.”

Chuck Ingoglia

The National Council is also recognizing three individuals and organizations that have led state-based legislative or regulatory advocacy and public policy efforts to expand access to services and supports for people experiencing mental health and substance use challenges.

This year’s Advocacy Leadership Award honorees include:

• Individual Achievement in Advocacy Award: Melanie Brown-Woofter, President and CEO, Florida Behavioral Health Association
• Public Service in Advocacy Award: Senator John Stinner, Nebraska Legislature
• Organizational Achievement in Advocacy Award: California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals

“Faced with rising demand for substance use and mental health treatment services amidst a workforce crisis and a pandemic, this year’s advocacy leadership award winners rose to the challenge and went above and beyond. Because of their proactive leadership, innovative new programs and partnerships were created, and critical new funding was secured for their respective communities. Their invaluable advocacy success will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

Chuck Ingoglia

Register for Hill Day at Home, and tune in on Wednesday, June 8, 1-4 p.m. ET. Awards will be presented throughout the program.