It's so hard to believe that this law is finally going to take effect! My hope is that it will help remove at least some of the stigma associated with getting mental health care. We need to do more PR work, too, in letting people know that they don't have to suffer alone, there is help and that insurance will help pay for it. It's never made sense to me that limits were set on coverage for this when that is such a factor in work productivity, success in school, crime, family violence, etc., etc. Paul Wellstone must be very happy!
I would love it if our public schools (and private) had a mental health screening day at least once a year, preferably once per semester. I started having problems with depression at age 12 and did not feel there was anyone at home or at school I could talk to. Students need to be made aware that school nurses and counselors are there to provide mental health services as well as physical health services.
I am delighted to hear the News on Mental distress/illness in the U.S. My hope is that Ireland [where I live] and our co - EC countries will follow. Although certain laws have been put in place; ie discrimination etc., it is hard to prove that one has been turned down for a job because of a Depressive illness and the need for ongoing Medication, even though one may have a perfect C.V. and be extremely reliable and efficient. Its very hard to get rid of Fear, Ignorance and Stigma.
2010 - just about, and I tell very few people that I suffer bad depression. Why? because regardless of socio-economic status, education,IQ, it has received a most unpleasant and at times, ingnorant response.
I found this to be very encouraging. I've had mental illness for 25 yrs. and had better treatment available then that what is offered now. Insurance companies are primarily responsible for mental hospitals releasing their patients before they are truly ready to go home and also have limited greatly the amount of various therapies that were required at hospitals previously. I do hope the new year brings a better understanding of diagnosis, treatment and especially therapy to help those with mental illness better cope and improve their lives.
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When you add up the numbers of people whose lives are affected by mental illnesses and realize the broad range of problems that burden our society because of them, it makes total sense that insurance should be required to provide parity in coverage. A large percentage of people in jails have serious mental illnesses, along with a majority of homeless persons, and kids who drop out of school, not to mention those who have substance abuse issues. The parity legislation is SO necessary. Now we just have to train and recruit mental health care workers to live and work in the rural areas of our country, so that more people can have access to care!