Reflections on the 2024 SAMHSA OBHE Conference: A Milestone for Behavioral Health Equity

The 2024 SAMHSA Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE) Conference, themed "Re-Envisioning the Behavioral Health Workforce Focusing on Underserved Communities," highlighted a year of transformative efforts to promote equity in mental health and substance use care. OBHE’s mission focuses on culturally competent practices, increasing access to services for marginalized communities, and data-driven systemic change. Since January, OBHE has launched initiatives like technical panels to set workforce standards, collaborations with policymakers to improve infrastructure and funding, and 14 comprehensive playbooks addressing rural access, telehealth integration, and harm reduction strategies. These efforts culminated in the December conference, where counselors, advocates, and policymakers gathered to discuss workforce development, accessibility, and innovative care models. Two American Counseling Association (ACA) staff members attended, advancing conversations that align with ACA’s legislative agenda for FY 2025-2026, which prioritizes workforce growth, telehealth expansion, and equitable service delivery.

Key conference highlights included actionable strategies like Behavioral Health Workforce Centers to improve training and data use, as well as policy achievements such as California’s AB 2473 and DC Law 25-104, which expand free training and education for counseling professionals. Discussions emphasized leveraging data, securing sustainable funding, and adopting telehealth to bridge access gaps, particularly in underserved areas. Featured speakers, including national leaders from SAMHSA, the Council on Social Work Education, and NAADAC, shared insights on workforce development, harm reduction, and culturally responsive care. Looking ahead, OBHE aims to expand career pathways and develop a National Behavioral Health Workforce Connector to coordinate data and best practices. As counselors step into 2025, they are encouraged to advocate for equitable funding, integrate telehealth, and strengthen community partnerships, ensuring the momentum from this conference leads to lasting systemic change. For more information, contact the ACA advocacy team at advocacy@counseling.org.