From Stigma to Support- Modernizing Mental Health Policies in Licensure

Research shows that questions about mental health and substance use on licensure applications and renewals can deter professionals from seeking necessary care. Concerns about stigma and potential repercussions on their licenses (and livelihoods) often prevent them from reporting such conditions. At the same time, regulators must ensure that licensed individuals are competent to safely provide services.  How can regulators strike a balance between not being an impediment to care-seeking while still ensuring practitioner competency?

Join us for a discussion on how various regulatory boards have tackled this issue. Learn about innovative changes to licensure applications, such as focusing on current impairment rather than past diagnoses and shifting to attestation models or acknowledgment statements. Hear firsthand examples from regulatory organizations that have implemented these changes, as well as other areas in their regulatory processes where changes have been made to address these challenges.

Speakers:

Brian Blankenship, chief legal officer, North Carolina Medical Board
Marisa Courtney, licensing manager, Washington Medical Commission
Brook Greenberg, partner, Fasken and chair of the Mental Health Task Force for the Law Society of British Columbia

Originally presented July 2024