For Lisa de Saxe Zerden, reinforcing the state’s behavioral health workforce isn’t just a passion, it’s a necessity.
“I see strengthening the state and national behavioral health workforce as essential to meeting growing mental health and substance use needs,” said de Saxe Zerden, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. “Persistent behavioral health workforce shortages undermine access, continuity and equity, especially for individuals and families navigating complex social, economic and health-related challenges.”
But meeting those needs isn’t done in a silo; it’s a challenge that requires multiple professions.