Struggle and Solidarity: Stories of How Americans Fight for Their Mental Health Through Federal Legislation-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The presentation titled "Struggle and Solidarity: Stories of How Americans Fought for Their Mental Health through Federal Legislation" revisits a book co-edited by Mark Manso and Dr. Michael Compton, highlighting the intersection of mental health and social policies through historical legislative acts. Offering narratives beyond academic analysis, this book illustrates how key 20th-century laws tackled social determinants affecting mental health. It dives into pivotal U.S. legislation such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933, the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, and the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1965.<br /><br />These legislative acts not only had economic implications but also profound impacts on societal mental health by altering societal norms and distribution of resources. For instance, the Agricultural Adjustment Act was instrumental in stabilizing farm prices, influencing food security, which in turn correlates with mental health outcomes. The National Labor Relations Act promoted unionization, impacting working conditions and thereby mental health through labor rights. Meanwhile, the Housing and Urban Development Act attempted to address housing crises, aiming for better living conditions impacting community mental health.<br /><br />The presentation emphasizes the continual struggle and progress in these areas, advocating for an active role by healthcare professionals in shaping policy to address social determinants of mental health. It also highlights the importance of advocating at various levels, from grassroots to legislation, to ensure lasting, impactful change in health equity, framing this as essential for collective societal well-being. The integration of lived experiences into policy-making and professional practices is suggested as a vital step toward achieving these goals.

Keywords

mental health

federal legislation

social policies

Mark Manso

Michael Compton

Agricultural Adjustment Act

National Labor Relations Act

Housing and Urban Development Act

social determinants

health equity

policy advocacy

lived experiences