Carter Center Featured Partner: Magellan Health Services

Featured June 2008

Magellan Health Services believes that every individual is capable of recovery and resiliency, and that everyone deserves to receive care in an effective, understandable and respectful manner compatible with their preferred language and cultural beliefs and practices regarding their health. It is these beliefs that prompted Magellan's partnership with The Carter Center Mental Health Program to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses.

Magellan Health Services is a leading diversified specialty health care management organization supporting tens of millions of individuals and families in improving the quality of their lives. Through partnerships with consumers, family members, community resources, advocacy organization, providers, state governments, health plans and many others, Magellan develops innovative, flexible and effective programs that empower consumers and families to build their resiliency skills and facilitate recovery from mental illnesses.

An example of one of Magellan's newest programs designed to promote consumer empowerment is a governance board developed in 2007 to oversee the operations of the Magellan of Arizona Maricopa Regional Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA). The Maricopa RBHA oversees behavioral health services provided to Medicaid enrollees and other eligible individuals in the Phoenix area. Comprised of 12 members, six Magellan staff and six Maricopa community members, the Maricopa Governance Board gives community stakeholders decision-making authority in how behavioral health services and programs are developed and delivered throughout the County. The board convenes twice a month in open session to discuss issues ranging from recommendations for improving the children's services delivery system, to crisis response best practices and cultural competency initiatives.

Because people with mental illnesses often face stigma and discrimination, Mrs. Carter founded the Carter Center's Mental Health Program in 1991. The program works to reduce stigma related to mental illnesses, to achieve equity for mental health care comparable to other health care services, and to advance prevention and early intervention services. The program also works to increase public awareness about mental illness worldwide. The Carter Center Mental Health Program is proud to have Magellan Health Services as a partner in our efforts to accomplish these goals.