Healing A Broken Mental Health System: Dr Max Banilivy of WellLife Network On 5 Things That Can Be Done To Fix Our Broken Mental Health System

The current state of the mental health system is a conversation that echoes in the halls of policy-making, the corners of social advocacy, and within the private struggles of individuals and families. As we continue to witness an unprecedented need for robust mental health support, the shortcomings of the existing system become more glaring. It is within this backdrop that we seek the insight of those who are at the forefront of behavioral health. In this interview series, we are talking to behavioral health leaders, policymakers, mental health practitioners, advocates, and reformers to share their perspectives on healing our broken mental health system. As a part of this interview series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Mansour (Max) Banilivy.

Mansour (Max) Banilivy, Ph.D. has been providing comprehensive multidisciplinary behavioral and emotional health services, training and consultation nationally to school districts, private and nonprofit community as well as government including military agencies. He is the director of clinical training, education and internship programs at WellLife Network in New York City and Long Island. His education at the highest level includes postdoctoral training in eating disorders and family therapy at the Harvard Medical School’s Children’s Hospital and Judge Baker Guidance Center. Dr. Banilivy’s specialty areas include but are not limited to Clinical training of mental health professionals, Coping/Resiliency, Couples/Marriage/Sex therapy, Self-Injury and Assessment, Management and Prevention of Suicide through training and education. He speaks widely on a variety of topics. Dr. Banilivy is currently spending much of his time, regionally as well as at the state and national level training the community members and professionals on suicide risk identification, prevention, intervention, and postvention. He has published and served on the boards of professional organizations. Dr. Banilivy was the co-chair of the Consortium of SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINERS for New York State until 2015 which focused on education/training for suicide prevention. He is also on the executive board of the SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION of Long Island (SPCLI), having developed a website, and being responsible for the coordination of training and education for the region. An annual suicide prevention conference is organized as part of the focus of this board. He has been recognized for his work in the field of suicide prevention by the Livingworks Organization as the trainer of the year in 2009 and by the New York State Suicide Prevention Center (SPC) in 2011 for Excellence in Suicide Prevention.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?

I come from a multicultural background with Babylonian roots, which has greatly influenced my perspective on human development. Growing up in an extended family with multiple generations under one roof, I gained a deep respect for the wisdom and experience of elders and observed the ways culture evolves over time. My journey in psychology began during my undergraduate studies — inspired by a dynamic professor who introduced me to the complexities of human psychosocial development, particularly its fragile and vulnerable stages. This sparked my enduring interest in understanding the origins of psychological disorders and the ongoing challenges in both comprehending and addressing their effects.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Roots matter. It is difficult to grow without strong roots and a good sense of family/community. As social animals it is essential that we not only are connected but have a solid foundation to grow from. I consider children apprentices, adolescents agents of change, and elders a guiding light. I’ve learned that those human connections, which offer both physical and emotional safety, not only matter but are essential.

Let’s now shift to the main part of our discussion. It is often said that “the mental health system in America is broken”. What does that statement mean to you? From your perspective what is “broken” today?

The term broken can suggest someone did something wrong and feels like trying to point fingers. In America we have come a long way from the dark ages of demonizing mental illness. There are many entities, including in the government and nonprofit sectors, that have been working on identifying the main obstacles to open and direction conversations about mental illness, similarly to how we address physical ailments. Yet what seems to still need attention is mending and reducing the persistence of myths and stigmas associated with emotional health challenges. There seems to be a serious mental health challenge in America; but is it attended to in the same way as other epidemics? If one out of five or six individuals in our society may have a mental health challenge, how should we approach it? The answer is: at the individual, community and government levels. Well-coordinated efforts with all parties involved are needed, and this includes individuals with lived experience.

What about any bright spots? Do you think there are any elements that we get right in today’s world that we wouldn’t want to reverse unintentionally?

There are many, including that we are beginning to see more open and direct conversation about mental health challenges and their impacts on many aspects of our lives — in some cases, more than many individual physical illnesses.

We’re also seeing more media attention to the treatability of these conditions and symptom management, and not merely through medication.

In New York State, a School Mental Health Law was enacted in 2016/17. We’re now formally asking school districts to develop curriculums to teach young children and youth about the importance of emotional health and consequences when it goes awry, like the suicide epidemic we’re seeing among young people. Early education and intervention are paramount. Children grow up with their families, but they also have surrogate parents at school. We can teach emotional intelligence in schools and are beginning to, which is critical because so many mental health and behavioral challenges have their roots in childhood and youth.

In your opinion, what are the 5 most impactful things that could help heal the broken mental health system? These could be on any level including training, workforce, policy, culture, equity etc.

• Coordination and collaboration among government, private and nonprofit entities.
• Mental health receiving more media coverage.
• More focus on open and direct conversation about the consequences of stigmatizing mental health challenges.
• School/community/family involvement in research and training, including investing extensively in mental health in schools.
• Focus on primary prevention and early detection and developing robust/quality resources.

If all of the items on your list were magically implemented tomorrow what change might we see in the world? What are the signs (big and small) that the system is being healed?

I think a positive sign would be when we identify and address mental illness as we do physical illness. When people can openly discuss their challenges without being judged, and ask for help when it’s needed.

When that day comes, our culture and society will no longer suffer the loss and impairment of so many individuals. We will have a more caring and compassionate society, with most being productive and content.

What is a project you or others are working on today that gives you hope? How can our readers learn more about this work?

At Well Life Network (WLN) we started an initiative, perhaps the only one in the country, where we have wellness conversations with every employee, conducted in very small groups. In this context we discuss the importance of mental health — that it is as important as physical health. We articulate the impact of emotional challenges on the personal and work life. We’re also open about discussing that suicidal thinking is not unusual and many may have those thoughts. Everyone is given resources should challenges arise and we want all staff to know there is always someone to talk to.

How do you see technology shaping the future of mental health care and its accessibility?

We know that mental and emotional challenges are often complex, with multiple contributing factors. Even before COVID-19, the mental health field faced a shortage of adequate resources, but the pandemic pushed us all to reassess our vulnerabilities and adapt quickly. The impact on youth was especially profound; they experienced heightened fears, losses, and uncertainty about the future, and were highly dependent on their caregivers to navigate this unprecedented period. As a society, we had to troubleshoot rapidly, building resilience in ways we hadn’t anticipated.

Technology rose to the occasion during this period of change, allowing us to function differently, learn new skills, and stay connected. In the mental health field, we saw an out-of-the-box expansion of services through telehealth and remote care, providing convenient and efficient ways for professionals to reach those in need. Today, many conditions can be effectively treated through platforms like Zoom or even by phone, bringing support directly to people’s homes and increasing access to a broader range of resources.

However, there are limitations. Not everyone has equal access to technology, and financial and insurance issues still create barriers. Additionally, while technology has made mental health care more accessible, it doesn’t always ensure quality. For some, remote care can feel impersonal and lacks the relational depth that in-person interaction provides — a critical component in therapeutic settings. While we’ve expanded access, we haven’t fully addressed the ongoing shortage of affordable, evidence-based, high-quality care. So while technology has broadened mental health accessibility, it’s crucial that we continue improving both access and quality moving forward.

In your view, how do social factors like poverty, education, and culture affect mental health care and its effectiveness?

Regardless of our finances, social and economic factors we are all affected by mental health challenges. Education and stigma-free deliveries must correlate closely with quality resources that are seriously missing or at short supply. There is a labor market in transition. Sustainable education is essential as is a more united mind set. External threats, uncertainty about the future and concerns about safety are some of the core issues. It certainly is affecting our youth who are the foundation of the future culture. We cannot ignore the obvious consequences.

In light of the growing mental health crisis among young people, what innovative approaches or interventions have proven most successful for children and adolescents?

Through WellLife Network, I’ve had the opportunity to develop and direct a comprehensive, school-based mental health program on Long Island to address the mental health needs of young people. This initiative was structured around the three levels of prevention.

Our primary prevention efforts focused on education, training, and collaboration among families, school staff, and mental health professionals to create a unified approach. By educating parents and families about the socio-emotional needs of their children, we fostered a deeper understanding of mental health and brought students into the multidisciplinary team to help reinforce this foundation. Embedding mental health services directly within the school setting, where students spend a large part of their lives, proved not only more effective for intervention but also more cost-efficient.

At the secondary prevention level, we collaborated closely with key individuals to identify and address challenges early, increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes. This approach was effective for both emerging and longstanding issues, as we integrated the support of home, school, and community treatment facilities to serve families who might otherwise struggle to access care.

Even students requiring more intensive, tertiary care benefited from this integrated model, receiving support that was cohesive and continuous within the school environment.

Unfortunately, the youth mental health system remains largely fragmented, with services siloed and an ongoing shortage of qualified family therapists. To truly address the mental health needs of young people, a robust partnership among all stakeholders is essential. School counselors are vital but cannot meet this demand alone, as they are not equipped to provide in-depth therapy. With a collaborative and integrated approach, I believe we have an opportunity to transform this fragmented system and provide young people with the support they need as they grow.

We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)

I would love to convene a diverse group of individuals from the worlds of sports, music, film and television, and government. Changing the way people perceive and think and talk about mental health is going to require collaboration with those who are able to connect with and influence as broad a cross-section of the population as possible.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

WellLife Network has always been involved in community education and quality care and those interested in following our work and our conversations about mental health can visit our website at welllifenetwork.org. I can also be emailed directly with any questions: max.banilivy@welllifenetwork.org

Thank you for your time and thoughtful answers. I know many people will gain so much from hearing this.

About The Interviewer: Stephanie Greer, PhD is the Co-founder and CEO of Akin Mental Health — a company dedicated to guiding families on their journey supporting a loved one with mental health challenges like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and severe depression. Stephanie is passionate about this topic from her own personal experience growing up with a mother who struggled with bipolar 1 disorder and found a path forward to overcome the obstacles and live well. Stephanie’s professional experience includes a doctorate in neuroscience as well as design research roles at Hopelab and Apple. Stephanie brings this personal passion together with her world-class science and technology background to support families across the US in their personal journeys supporting loved ones with mental illness. To learn more about Akin Mental Health and join our community, visit us at akinmh.com.