Making the Case for Engaging People with Lived Experience and Expertise in State Behavioral Health Reforms

As state leaders explore strategies to reform public behavioral health systems, engaging with people with lived experience is crucial to ensure better outcomes in programs and policies. This brief makes the case for engaging people with lived experience in state policy and program discussions, outlines strategies to secure leadership buy-in, shares messaging tips to address common concerns regarding engagement efforts, and includes a set of tools to support planning for and implementing community engaged approaches.