At the end of April, I attended a Behavioral Health Workshop in New Orleans, organized by the American Hospital Association (AHA). The event gathered hospital leaders, clinical teams, and behavioral health professionals to collaborate on strategies aimed at improving outcomes for individuals dealing with mental health and substance use issues.
The workshop focused on person-centered care, emphasizing that how we communicate with patients is just as important as the services provided. During one session, we discussed key questions like how to align care with patients’ language needs and how to involve families and caregivers in treatment planning.
We also explored practical solutions, such as hiring bilingual staff, offering patients the option to search for providers by language, and using visual aids and multilingual signs in clinical settings. A major takeaway was the importance of training healthcare teams to use clear and respectful language, while being mindful of the diverse communication preferences of patients.
One key point that resonated with me was the idea that communication gaps often reveal deeper issues within the healthcare system. When patients lack language support or feel uncomfortable speaking up, trust and effective care are harder to establish. Participants also highlighted long-standing challenges, including staffing shortages, outdated licensing regulations, and insufficient data systems.
There was a strong sense of urgency to address these issues. Many attendees called for national standards on language access, better career development for multilingual professionals, and more resources for staff training. Building stronger relationships between providers and the communities they serve was also emphasized.
This discussion reminded me of the ongoing efforts in Michigan hospitals to prioritize the patient’s voice. Across the state, hospitals continue to invest in patient advocacy and support services. The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) has partnered with various organizations to provide members with tools and resources to improve access to care, including language services.
My main takeaway from the workshop was the importance of intentional care. From designing spaces and preparing staff to listening and responding to patient feedback, every detail counts. This event reinforced the idea that improving behavioral healthcare begins with listening, and real progress can be made through consistent, purposeful action.
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