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Contact: Christopher Burley, Bazelon Center,
202-467-5730 x 133 or cburley@bazelon.org;
Bill Emmet, NASMHPD, 703-739-9333 x 136 or Bill.Emmet@nasmhpd.org;
Elizabeth
Adams, NAMI, 703-524-7600, elizabetha@nami.org;
Heather Cobb, NMHA, 703-797-2588 or hcobb@nmha.org
Mental Health Advocates’ Statement on
Dean Mental Health Agenda
ALEXANDRIA, VA (Friday, Sept. 12, 2003) –The Campaign for Mental
Health Reform today reacted to Governor Howard Dean’s call for improved
mental health services and screening with the following statement by Campaign
Coordinator Bill Emmet:
“The Campaign for Mental Health Reform commends Governor Dean for
today’s statement on mental health. His release of a mental health
reform agenda acknowledges the importance of an issue that has too often
been given short shrift by political candidates and elected officials—the
unmet health needs of millions of Americans with mental illnesses.
“America’s crumbling mental health system exacts a terrible
toll. If the nation is to address this crisis, Democratic candidates and
President Bush must make reform a top priority.
“More than 30,000 lives are lost to suicide each year in the United
States, with an estimated 90 percent of those deaths attributed to mental
disorders. These preventable deaths represent nearly twice the number of
lives lost to homicide.
“The system’s failure has left many Americans with mental illnesses
struggling with lost opportunities for happiness, productivity and participation
in America’s communities. Too many adults with mental illnesses are
incarcerated or unemployed. Too many of our children with mental or emotional
disorders suffer for lack of services that could enable them to succeed
at school.
“The effectiveness of services for adults and children with mental
or emotional disorders has increased tremendously in recent years, but many
still lack
access to the services and support that would help them lead fuller lives
in their communities. Only one of every two Americans who need mental health
treatment receives it – even fewer among members of racial and ethnic
minorities.
“Almost two months ago, the President’s Commission on Mental
Health recommended a fundamental transformation in the nation’s mental
health system, echoing President Bush’s earlier call for dramatic
improvements in services and an end to insurance discrimination against
Americans with mental illnesses. The Commission made clear that recovery
from mental illness is possible and that it should be the goal of our country’s
mental health system. The Commission also recognized that a transformed
system must be consumer-centered, and promote full community participation
for children and adults with mental disorders.
“The Campaign for Mental Health Reform is committed to working with
Governor Dean, the other Democratic candidates and with President Bush to
transform the nation’s dysfunctional mental health system. We also
look forward to reviewing the mental health policy agendas of other candidates.
Mental health reform—and the millions of Americans with mental illness
who could benefit from it—must be a national priority in the 2004
election and beyond.”
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The Campaign for Mental Health Reform has been organized as the mental
health community’s united voice on federal policy. Its goal is to
make access, recovery, and quality in mental health services the hallmarks
of our nation’s mental health system. Its members include organizations
representing millions of people with mental or emotional disorders and their
families, service providers, administrators and other advocates.
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