What is it about?

The Biden/Harris Administration faces many challenges, from systems and policies that do not work for or benefit all Americans, to stark social and political divisions. Multiple courses of action will be necessary, and there must be commitment and investment for the "long haul." When considering the nation's challenges, overarching themes emerge that must be addressed. For instance, recommendations for justice reform cannot be followed without significant focus on race and equity. This focus will also be needed in considering solutions to affordable housing shortages, economic crises, and social and economic immobility concerns. In a similar vein, if the interests and rights of our nation's children are not recognized now, the social consequences will impact every aspect of their livelihoods-and those of future generations. Three recommendations have been put forward by the Global Alliance that are bold and will take time to fully implement. They are (1) to establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission on Race and Equity, (2) to launch a Presidential Commission on Behavioral health and Well-being Across the Lifespan and (3) to solidify the Administration’s commitment to children and families with a multifaceted approach. The implementation of these recommendations will challenge our systems and our policymakers to acknowledge our past and reenvision the future-and they will help address the complex behavioral health and well-being needs of our nation, its communities, and its people.

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Why is it important?

Our recommendations for the 46th administration, President Joe Biden, and Vice President Kamala Harris, are designed to address systemic injustices that serve as everyday barriers to well-being.

Perspectives

This work has provided an opportunity for my co-authors and I to reflect on the Global Alliance’s rich history of informing policy, practice, and research from an interdisciplinary lens. As we approach our 100th anniversary, the findings have been pivotal in framing our continued commitment to equity, behavioral health and children and families.

Gita Jaffe
Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice

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This page is a summary of: Establishing a path to unity: Recommendations for the Biden/Harris administration., American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, January 2021, American Psychological Association (APA),
DOI: 10.1037/ort0000563.
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