Advancing practical, bipartisan solutions to strengthen mental healthcare
Across the country, policymakers are facing growing pressure to improve access to mental health and substance use care. The Inseparable Policy Academy is designed to meet that moment—equipping state leaders with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to drive meaningful, lasting change.
What is the Policy Academy?
The Policy Academy is a multi-month program that brings together state legislators, agency leaders, and policy experts to develop and advance effective mental health policy.
Through a mix of in-person convenings and virtual engagement, participants gain:
- Practical policy expertise grounded in real-world challenges
- Direct access to national subject matter experts
- Opportunities for peer learning and bipartisan collaboration
- Tailored support to address their state’s unique needs
Who Participates
- State legislators
- Agency leaders and senior policy staff
- Governor’s office policy staff
What You’ll Gain
The Academy focuses on helping policymakers:
- Expand access to mental health and substance use care
- Improve coverage, affordability, and system accountability
- Address workforce shortages and provider challenges
- Support prevention, early intervention, and complex care needs
- Identify sustainable funding and implementation strategies
Throughout the program, participants work alongside experts and peers to identify barriers and design solutions that can be implemented in their state.
Why It Matters
Millions of Americans struggle to access the mental healthcare they need due to gaps in coverage, workforce shortages, and systemic barriers. State policymakers play a critical role in closing these gaps.
The Policy Academy exists to support those leaders—with the tools, insights, and partnerships needed to turn policy ideas into real-world impact.
Growing Impact
The Policy Academy has already supported dozens of state leaders working to strengthen their mental health systems.
Previous academies have taken place in 2024 and 2025, with participation from legislators across:
* Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Program Experience
The Policy Academy combines:
- Virtual check-ins to build foundational knowledge and maintain momentum
- In-person policy labs for deep collaboration and hands-on problem solving
- State-based teamwork to ensure solutions are tailored and actionable
- Ongoing support from Inseparable beyond the program
This structure allows participants to move from learning → planning → action.
