The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health and Substance Use

Addressing Youth Addiction & Recovery with Dr. John Kelly - The State of Mental Wellbeing

On this episode, special guest host Philip Rutherford, VP of Growth and Substance Use Strategy at the National Council, speaks with John Kelly, PhD, a leading addiction recovery researcher at Harvard Medical School, about the future of youth substance use prevention, treatment and recovery. They explore recovery science, recovery support services, adolescent substance use disorder, early intervention, high-potency cannabis, polysubstance use and the urgent need for evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care for young people and families.  Key Takeaways: * Why youth recovery support services remain one of the biggest gaps in substance use care.  * How recovery science has evolved their definitions of recovery, mutual-help research and long-term support.  * The rising risks of social media exposure, high-potency cannabis and polysubstance for adolescents.  John Kelly, PhD, is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Recovery Research Institute and the National Center on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery at Massachusetts General Hospital. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

How Ballmer Group is Transforming Community Wellbeing Through Philanthropy - The State of Mental Wellbeing

On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, we sat down with Andi Smith from Ballmer Group’s Washington team to explore how the capitalization of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) is fundamentally changing the way community and behavioral health care is delivered in America.   During this episode, Mohini Venkatesh and Andi Smith discuss the increasing adoption of the CCBHC model. Through Medicaid funding and philanthropic partnerships, CCBHCs are becoming the norm, not the expectation, for how communities can receive care and services. Dive deeper into what makes the backbone of a CCBHC, philanthropy’s partnership with public dollars and how Ballmer Group’s advocation of the CCBHC model is creating scalable change in the way we think about and deliver behavioral health care services.   This episode explores how CCBHCs are increasing access to care and services through payment reform, community partnerships and implementation support.   * How CCBHCs are expanding access to behavioral health care services for the community.  * How philanthropic partnerships with public sectors are scaling these behavioral health care services. * How mental health is used as a force multiplier to create change in the community and individual lives.  Andi Smith is the Executive Director of National Behavioral Health and Ballmer Group’s Washington team, where she leads strategy and investments to improve economic mobility for children and families across the state. She brings deep expertise in public systems and policy, with a focus on child welfare, behavioral health, early childhood, disability, housing, and services for youth experiencing homelessness.  Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

The Future of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) & Mental Health Care with Dr. Nitin Gogtay - The State of Mental Wellbeing

Dr. Nitin Gogtay joins Mohini Venkatesh to discuss the future of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and how a more scientific, flexible and person-centered approach could reshape psychiatric diagnosis, behavioral health practice and mental health care.  On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, Mohini sits down with Dr. Nitin Gogtay and discusses the latest updates to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and his impact as chief of research and deputy medical director at the American Psychiatric Association. Explore how measurement-informed care, scientific advancements and stakeholder engagement are shaping a more person-centric approach to diagnosis and treatment. Perfect for mental health professionals, advocates and anyone interested in the future of psychiatry.  This episode examines how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) may move beyond fixed categories toward a more holistic, measurement-informed model for psychiatric diagnosis, behavioral health assessment and better long-term treatment planning.  *  How the DSM is evolving into a living document shaped by scientific advances in mental health  * Why quality of life and transdiagnostic symptoms matter in psychiatric diagnosis  * How measurement-informed care and emerging biomarkers could improve behavioral health treatment  Nitin Gogtay, MD, is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who currently serves as Vice President of Research and Deputy Medical Director at the American Psychiatric Association [https://www.psychiatry.org/] (APA).  Subscribe and listen for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

New Approaches to Nonprofits: Visionary Leadership and the Five & Rising Initiative - The State of Mental Wellbeing Podcast

Join host Mohini Venkatesh and Jody Levison-Johnson, president and CEO of Social Current, for a conversation about what it will take to create a more sustainable social sector and the Five & Rising initiative. They explore leading through constraint, changing how the social sector is valued and funded, and building a bold vision for the future.  In this episode, Mohini Venkatesh speaks with Jody Levison-Johnson about the urgent need to reshape public understanding of the social sector, Social Current’s mission and the Five & Rising initiative. They discuss constrained funding environments, harmful narratives about nonprofits, the importance of bold leadership, and how organizations can build new blueprints for sustainability, innovation, and long-term community impact. Key takeaways include: * How the Five & Rising initiative aims to shift public narratives about the social sector. * Why leaders should stay bold, trust their instincts and resist shrinking in constrained environments. * What boards, funders and communities can do to support a more sustainable and effective sector.  Jody Levison-Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in the field of human services. She currently serves as the President and CEO of Social Current, a diverse network of nearly 1,600 human service organizations.  Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.  For more information on the Five & Rising Initiative, visit ⁠https://www.fiveandrising.org/ [https://www.fiveandrising.org/]⁠

From Capitol Hill to Community Care: Federal Policy Update - The State of Mental Wellbeing Podcast

In this episode, host Mohini Venkatesh speaks with Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO, and Reyna Taylor, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, about the federal landscape of mental health and substance use policy. They explore current challenges and emerging opportunities shaping behavioral health care nationwide. This conversation focuses on federal mental health and substance use policy, a key issue shaping the future of behavioral health care nationwide. Mohini, Chuck and Reyna discuss major developments on Capitol Hill, including federal funding for mental health, workforce pressures, Medicaid implementation and legislative priorities such as the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act. They offer accessible insight for behavioral health professionals, policy leaders and mental wellbeing advocates navigating a fast‑moving policy environment. Together, they explore how federal policy decisions affect communities, providers and people seeking care. Listeners will learn: * What the current federal mental health policy environment means for mental health and substance use care. * How the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s top policy priorities are shaped by community and provider needs. * What professionals, organizations and individuals can do right now to prepare for policy changes ahead. Chuck Ingoglia is President and CEO, and Reyna Taylor is Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Their work advances mental health and substance use care policy to strengthen communities nationwide. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care and learn more about the podcast: https://bit.ly/4u7ERWm