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Report of the Presidents New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
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For Immediate Release: May 11, 2005
Contacts: Andy Hyman 703-739-9333,ext 128
andy.hyman@nasmhpd.org Bill Emmet 703-739-9333, ext 136 bill.emmet@mhreform.org
A Public Health Crisis:
Children and Adolescents with
Mental Disorders
Congressional Briefings Call for Early Identification, Evaluation,
and Treatment of Children’s Mental Disorders
Washington, D.C.—A school superintendent whose daughter once attempted
suicide, a college student, a social worker, a board-certified child psychiatrist,
and a member of President Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental
Health warned today that children’s lives will be lost without programs
for early identification, evaluation and treatment of mental disorders.
In briefings for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Campaign
for Mental Health Reform (CMHR) addressed misinformation and distortions
surrounding a critical need identified by the Surgeon General and the President’s
Commission—as well as by the medical and public health communities.
“Children’s mental health is a complex topic,” said Cynthia
Wainscott, spokeswoman for the Campaign for Mental Health Reform and Chair
of the National Mental Health Association's Board of Directors. “Unfortunately,
it’s also vulnerable to misinformation, misrepresentation and political
rhetoric. The fact is that early identification, comprehensive evaluation,
and if necessary, treatment of mental health problems in children can save
lives.”
Only 20% of children with mental disorders are identified and receive mental
health services, leading to school failure, substance abuse, involvement
with the juvenile justice system, and suicide.
"Early diagnosis is the key to living a life of wellness for many
young people with mental disorders," said Lydia Lewis, President of
the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. "For parents, early identification
and comprehensive evaluations enable them to make informed decisions. And
for our kids, early and effective treatment will positively impact their
performance in school, provide for a more satisfying and productive life,
and most importantly, help reduce the high mortality rate associated with
these illnesses."
Senators Chris Dodd (D-CT), Mike DeWine (R-OH), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Jack
Reed (D-RI), Gordon Smith (R-OR) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) sponsored the
briefing in the Senate. In the House, the briefing was held in coordination
with Representatives Tim Murphy (R-PA) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA), co-chairs
of the Congressional Mental Health Caucus.
Fact sheets, lists of participants and presentations from the briefings
are available on-line at www.mhreform.org/kids.
# # #
The Campaign for Mental Health Reform is a national partnership
of organizations representing millions of people with mental or emotional
disorders, their
families, service providers, administrators, and other advocates. It seeks
to make access, recovery, and quality in mental health services the hallmarks
of our nation’s mental health system.
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