From March 6-8, 2024, APA CEO Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, visited Akron and Cleveland, Ohio, to meet with psychologists, community leaders, and mental health experts to discuss innovative opportunities to strengthen access to mental and behavioral health services across the state. His trip included site visits to Magnolia Clubhouse and MetroHealth’s Ohio City Health Center in Cleveland, as well as Akron Children's Hospital. Dustin McKee, executive director of the Ohio Psychological Association, accompanied Evans throughout his visit to Ohio. The trip culminated in a keynote address at the "Pathways to Progress: Enhancing Mental Health Support in Akron" event. The event was hosted by Rick Kellar, president and CEO of Peg’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Ohio dedicated to improving the lives of individuals with serious mental illness and hosted in collaboration with the LeBron James Family Foundation. The event provided a platform for Evans to amplify the importance of using a population health approach when collaboratively addressing mental health access and promoting innovative solutions for enhancing support systems in communities.
In Cleveland, Evans had the opportunity to meet with Magnolia Clubhouse members and learn more about the Clubhouse model from Executive Director Lori D’Angelo, PhD. Clubhouses provide people with mental illness opportunities for friendship, employment, housing, education, and access to medical and psychiatric services in a caring and safe environment. At MetroHealth, Evans learned from Britt Nielsen, PsyD, chief of psychology, about the ways in which MetroHealth’s psychology training program has benefited from the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Graduate Psychology Education (GPE) program. Evans met with former and current GPE trainees, as well as other faculty, to discuss best practices, training in evidence-based interventions, and the integration of mental health into primary care settings.
Finally, Evans’ visit to Akron Children’s Hospital was hosted by Eva Szigethy, MD, PhD, director of pediatric psychiatry and Chelsea Weyand, PsyD, ABPP, interim director of psychology. During his visit, Evans learned more about Akron Children’s innovative commitment to holistic care for children, adolescents, and their families through hybrid integrated care models. This included Akron Children’s Food Farmacy, which allows families who screen positive for food insecurity during their patient visits and who meet income-eligibility requirements to access healthy food choices on site at the Food Farmacy pantry.
The pinnacle of Evans’ Ohio visit was his keynote address at the Pathways to Progress event, an inspiring gathering that brought together community leaders, advocates, and change-makers dedicated to advancing mental health support in Akron. This event demonstrated the convergence of philanthropy, community engagement, and visionary leadership in tackling mental health challenges. The LeBron James Family Foundation generously hosted the event at the foundation’s I PROMISE School campus.
In his address, Evans delivered a powerful message emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive, equitable, and accessible mental health care services—particularly for youth. Drawing upon his extensive expertise in psychology, public health, and organizational leadership, he articulated a vision for building more resilient communities where mental health is prioritized, destigmatized, and integrated into every facet of daily life. By championing evidence-based practices, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and advocating for policy reforms, Evans urged attendees to take bold action in strengthening community support for mental and behavioral health.
He noted the partnership between the Peg’s Foundation and the LeBron James Family Foundation exemplified the collective impact that can be achieved through strategic collaboration and shared vision. By leveraging their respective resources, networks, and expertise, these organizations have catalyzed meaningful change in the realm of mental health support, paving the way for innovative initiatives, community-driven solutions, and sustainable outcomes.
For more information, contact Alexandra “Alix” Ginsberg.