Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment
Access in the Bleeding Disorders Community
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts
When Kate Bazinsky received the call that a young man with Hemophilia had died by suicide after being denied by substance abuse and mental health treatment, she knew something had to change. In this powerful episode, Kate shares how that loss catalyzed the creation of the Bleeding Disorders Substance Use and Mental Health Access Coalition (BDSUMHAC). We explore the stigma, fear, and policy gaps that keep people with bleeding disorders from receiving the care they deserve—and the inspiring ways advocates are breaking down those barriers through data, tools, and hope.
Meet the Guest:
Kate Bazinsky is the mother of a hemophilia a patient, public health expert, and fierce advocate who chairs the Bleeding Disorders Substance Use and Mental Health Access Coalition (BD SUMHAC). With a background in health policy and a Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins, Kate blends data-driven advocacy with lived experience to lead national efforts improving mental health and substance use access for people with bleeding disorders.
“A denial is not the end of the story—it’s the beginning of advocacy.”
If you or someone you love is navigating mental health or substance use challenges in the context of a bleeding disorder, you are not alone. Start the conversation with your care team, and explore the growing network of resources created by BD SUMHAC to help you access the support you deserve.
Resources & Links:
Access Toolkits: https://www.bdsumhac.org/patient-access-toolkit
BD SUMHAC: https://www.bdsumhac.org
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation: https://www.bleeding.org
Coalition for Hemophilia B: https://www.hemob.org
Balancing Life’s Issues: https://balancinglifesissues.com/podcast-bli/