Mental Health & Public Safety: A Capitol Hill Briefing

Gather with changemakers in Washington, D.C. for a timely dialogue on advancing healing, hope, and national solutions during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Capitol Hill Briefing

Mental Health and Fentanyl: A Dual Crisis Demanding Action

Every day in America, lives are lost to suicide and overdose. During Mental Health Awareness Month, this Capitol Hill briefing brings together bipartisan leaders, public health advocates, and lived-experience voices to spotlight urgent solutions rooted in evidence — and compassion.

Timed with Mental Health Awareness Month, this event aims to advance policy and action around two of America’s most pressing challenges: overdose deaths and suicide prevention.

Date & Time

Thursday, May 15, 2025
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM ET

Location

To Be Held at the Dirksen Senate Building Room: Sd-B48

Hosted By

The Huntsman Family Foundation, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, and Set Free Indeed Ministry

In Partnership With

National mental health and substance use organizations, advocates, law enforcement, and elected officials.

Meet the Voices Leading the Conversation

This bipartisan briefing features national leaders, mental health experts, advocates, and people with lived experience. Together, they’ll share insights and solutions rooted in public safety, public health, and public hope.

Art Kleinschmidt, Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis Substance Misuse, and Overdose

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Substance Use / Fentanyl Crisis Panel

Huntsman Family Foundation Community Engagement Advisor

Deputy Chief of Administration, Baton Rouge Police Department

CEO, Behavioral
Health Link

Commissioner, Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health & Development Services

District Attorney, East Baton Rouge Parish & 19th Judicial Court

Principal Medical Advisor, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

Mental Health, Crisis & Suicide Prevention Panel

CEO, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation, Huntsman Family Foundation

Utah House of Representatives, Utah House District 43

Secretary & Treasurer, Joe Burrow Foundation

Executive Director, NASMHPD

Director, National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention

CEO & President, Recovery Innovations | Managing Partner, Behavioral Health Link

Presented by Leading Voices in Mental Health and Recovery

This event is made possible through collaboration among foundations, ministries, nonprofits, health organizations, and national advocates working together to drive meaningful change.

About Our Sponsors

Huntsman Family Foundation

Focuses on advancing cancer treatment, mental health, and substance use disorder care.
🔗 huntsmanfamilyfoundation.org

Huntsman Mental Health Foundation

Supports the Huntsman Mental Health Institute in transforming mental health care.
🔗 huntsmanmentalhealthfoundation.org

Set Free Indeed Ministry

Provides support and resources for individuals and families seeking treatment and recovery services.
🔗 setfreeindeedministry.com

Mental Health & Crisis Support Organizations

Vibrant Emotional Health

Runs innovative community programs and crisis lines like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
🔗 vibrant.org

American Psychiatric Association Foundation (APAF)

Promotes mental health literacy and connects underserved communities to needed care.
🔗 apaf.org

Behavioral Health Link (BHL)

Develops behavioral health software and provides crisis solutions services nationwide.
🔗 behavioralhealthlink.com

Guide Consulting Services

An advocacy and policy advisory firm specializing in government relations for nonprofits and associations.
🔗 guidelobby.com

CRPT (First Trust SkyBridge Crypto Industry and Digital Economy ETF)

An exchange-traded fund focusing on the crypto industry and digital economy.
🔗 ftportfolios.com

Recovery Innovations (RI International)

Provides crisis recovery care and connected supports with a focus on mental health and substance use recovery.
🔗 riinternational.com

Kevin Hines

A suicide prevention speaker and mental health advocate who survived a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge. 🔗 kevinhinesstory.com