Contact:
Patrick Cody (703-838-7528)
James Radack (703-838-7539)
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
Mental Health Parity, Childhood Depression, Anxiety Disorders and Consumer Empowerment are Big Issues.
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 24, 1998) Why is my health coverage so limited for mental health? What is wrong with my child? Where can I go for help for anxiety disorders? During May, communities nationwide will be responding to these questions at health fairs, walks, workshops, screenings and other events. For members of the media, Mental Health Month offers a great opportunity to acquaint readers and listeners with important information on a variety of mental health topics.
Following is a list of national activities occurring during Mental Health Month:
MENTAL HEALTH PARITY ADVOCACY: So far in 1998, 20 states have introduced 44 bills requiring some type of mental health parity in health insurance coverage. Georgia and South Dakota have already signed parity legislation into law (bringing the total number of states with parity laws to 14) and bills are moving forward in Arizona, California, Delaware, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. In addition, federal parity legislation, to bar health plans from setting different limits on copayments, hospital days, deductibles and outpatient visits for treatment of mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders and physical illnesses, was recently introduced. A new study shows that such legislation would increase premiums by only 3.6%.
THE WALK (MAY 2): Kicking off Mental Health Month, mental health consumers, family members, professionals and other individuals will converge on Washington, D.C. May 2 for Walk the Walk: For Lives Touched by Mental Illness. Over 5,000 participants are expected for this first-ever walk dedicated to erasing the stigma that still surrounds mental illnesses. Honorary co-chairs include Tipper Gore, Rosalynn Carter and HHS Secretary Donna Shalala. NMHA can help arrange interviews with people with mental illnesses travelling to this event. Similar walks are also planned around the country.
CHILDHOOD DEPRESSION AWARENESS DAY (MAY 6): In the U.S., as many as one in 33 children and one in eight adolescents suffer from depression. However, the majority of these children go undiagnosed and untreated. Left untreated, depression can lead to school failure, substance abuse and even suicide. Suicide, recently declared a major national public health problem by Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., is the leading cause of death in adolescents. On May 6, NMHA will again sponsor Childhood Depression Awareness Day, to focus attention on the reality of childhood depression and other mental health problems - such as attention deficit disorders, eating disorders and behavioral and learning problems - that may appear with or mask depression. To arrange an interview with an expert or a parent of a child with depression, call James Radack at (703) 838-7539.
ANXIETY DISORDERS SCREENING DAY (MAY 6): Each year, more than 23 million individuals suffer from America's most common mental illnesses -- anxiety disorders. On May 6, thousands of individuals will receive free, confidential screenings at sites nationwide for anxiety disorders, which include panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
OTHER STORIES: In addition, NMHA can help you develop stories on:
-- Children's Serious Emotional Disturbances
-- Children and Violence
-- Mental Health and Juvenile Justice
-- Mental Health and Families
-- Mental Health and Aging
-- Workplace Issues
-- Costs and Benefits of New Treatments
-- Managed Care and Mental Illnesses
-- State Health Care Reform and People with Mental Illnesses
-- Mental Health Consumer Movement
RESOURCES: Copies of the 1998 Mental Health Month and Childhood Depression Awareness Day planning guides (which we distributed to advocates across the country) are available. Both guides include pertinent facts and figures that will help you cover Mental Health Month this May. Call James Radack at 703-838-7539 for these materials.
In addition, the NMHA Information Center (800-969-NMHA) can provide your readers and listeners with free mental health information and referrals to local services.
INTERVIEWS: NMHA can help arrange interviews with treatment and policy experts, as well as mental health consumers and parents willing to discuss their compelling personal experiences with mental illnesses and insurance discrimination.
CONTACTS: For more information or to arrange interviews, contact Patrick Cody at (703) 838-7528 or James Radack at (703) 838-7539, [email protected] (e-mail).
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