Hartford - The state Office of the Healthcare Advocate will host a public hearing from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 17 about access to prevention, treatment and coverage for mental health and substance use.

It will take place in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building.

Consumers, providers, advocates and others are invited to testify. The healthcare advocate is seeking to gather information about barriers to mental health and substance use prevention services, treatment and coverage for services.

People can sign up to testify beginning at 9 a.m. Testimony will begin at 10 a.m. Guest speaker Carol McDaid, principal of Capitol Decision Inc., will make a presentation at 12:30 p.m. Public testimony will resume at 1:30 p.m. Testimony will be limited to five minutes.

Testimony also can be emailed no later than 4 p.m. Oct. 17 to: Victoria.veltri@ct.gov.