Contact: Christopher Burley, Bazelon Center, 202-467-5730 x 133 or leec@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

President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health Final Report Campaign for Mental Health Reform website

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.