Huge shoutout to Louisiana Mental Health Association and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention - Louisiana Chapter for a wonderful Behavioral Health Day at the state Capitol!

Our Executive Director Katie Corkern spoke on the importance of advocacy and telling our story so

Today is Behavioral Health Day at the Capitol. Shining a light on mental health!

It’s our time to shine, folks. Happy #mentalhealthmonth ✨ #mhlouisiana #lalege #lagov

Since 2019 the percentage of healthcare dollars spent on behavioral health has decreased by over 15% by Louisiana’s Medicaid health plans.

With the increase in need and desire to receive these services over the last few years, we can’t help but ask WHY?!?

#lagov #lalege

I was proud to pass SCR26, giving childhood victims of sexual abuse more time to come forward and bring charges against their abuser. Time does not heal all wounds and the ability to achieve some relief by seeking justice should have no time limit.

#lalege #lagov

Meet Lindsey Mercante, Advocacy Coordinator 💚

Lindsey joined LRMHA in 2022 after being a public school teacher in Tangipahoa and St. Tammany Parishes for 13 years. Lindsey taught high school English which gave her a front row seat to the mental health challenges facing our

Meet Katie Corkern, LRMHA Executive Director 💚

Before helping form and organize LRMHA, Katie taught special education in Tangipahoa Parish for 10 years. Her son Connor, born with multiple disabilities, led her to begin advocating at Louisiana’s state Capitol and shortly after

Did You Know??

LA Rural Mental Health Alliance is a grass roots organization and our purpose is to improve behavioral and mental health care across Louisiana.

Learn how you can get involved by visiting lrmha.com today.

#mhlouisiana #lagov #lalege

It’s time to ask how have the lives of Louisianans w/behavioral health conditions improved since being included into Healthy Louisiana plans. What outcomes were met for this group of recipients? Any at all? Are our tax dollars helping people in need or padding pockets? #lalege

Some light reading..

Average MCO spending during FFY 2023 increased 8.5 percent. On a percentage basis, Louisiana experienced a year-over-year growth in Medicaid managed care spending at 20 percent.

What outcomes have they delivered to people w/mental illness? #lalege

healthmanagement.com/insights/weekl…

Nationally, only 28% of youth with severe depression receive some consistent treatment (7-
25 + visits in a year).

.. in contrast to 12% of Louisiana’s youth. #lalege

Consistent treatment is determined if a youth visits a specialty outpatient mental health service, including a

Dear Louisiana, we are going the wrong way in the rankings.

•Overall ranked 19th in 2022 & 36th in 2023.
•Youth w/severe major depressive episodes who received some consistent treatment ranked 39th in 22 & 49th in 23.

Unacceptable. We’ve got to do better. #lalege #lagov

When looking at how Louisiana compares to the quality compass national benchmark in physical health = 👍
But in behavioral health = 👎

It’s clear Healthy Louisiana MCOs struggle to support the behavioral health population and it comes at their detriment. It’s time to get a

1. Having Medicaid doesn’t ensure access to care - remove the extreme admin burden on providers so more will accept Medicaid.
2. Choose a health plan that focuses on behavioral health care and coordination, not just physical. The 6 plans we have now are not it.
#lalege