Despite the prevalence of mental health concerns among the general population, there continues to be
extreme prejudice and stigma for those who have diagnoses. People are made to feel ashamed by a
condition/illness/disorder which occurred due to biological, neurological, developmental, physical or
situational causes. As a society, we have tried to adopt rules and acceptance that we should not
discriminate against people based on age, gender, ethnicity, disability and so on. No one can choose
how they were born, correct? I didn't choose to be a girl with brown hair. Why should anyone be afraid
or embarrassed to tell another person about themselves? Yet, individuals with mental health needs are
still unable to openly disclose without fear of rejection, isolation or retaliation. Even in this day of
societal acceptance for all people, cultural competency trainings, people first language and disability
awareness campaigns...mental health is the least supported or recognized form of disability. (Despite
the fact that mental illness is the NUMBER 1 cause of disability in the country)
Things to think about:
- Why are there national and statewide "disability groups" that serve ALL individuals with
disabilities...except for mental illness? And, if they say that they do, they generally lack the
knowledge or resources to be successful. This is not meant to "blame" any specific group, but to
bring to light the exclusion of mental illness.
- Why do we have Medicaid Waivers in Indiana to provide home-based care for medical and/or
developmental disabilities...but not any that provide support for mental disabilities? FYI: Medicaid
Waivers (MAW) provide for additional services that Medicaid typically will not cover for in-home
care versus hospitalization or institutionalization. So, instead of going/sending yourself or your
child to the hospital...you can have supportive services that help you or your child stay in the
community... We do have the Community Alternatives which is AWESOME but, it is NOT a
Medicaid Waiver. And, yes, there is a difference.
- We had an international disability rights organization that specialized in mental health, but now it
has decided to cover all disabilities. That is great, however (1) there are already several
international, national, state and local groups which advocate for all disability rights (except
mental illness, in most cases) and (2) review the before-mentioned "least supported or recognized
form of disability".
- Children's Special Healthcare Services provides supplemental coverage for some health conditions
to eligible children...just not any mental health conditions.
- We JUST passed the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (2008) that forced insurance
companies to provide mental health/substance abuse coverage that was equal to the existing
medical coverage. It's a great step in the right direction, but there are still many exclusions. But,
the Indiana legislation passed the Autism Mandate in 2001. It essentially required insurance
companies to provide coverage for any Pervasive Developmental Disability (which is still listed in
the DSM as a mental health condition) and stated that they are to be considered neurological
disorders and, for insurance purposes, any insurance agency who has a contract in Indiana
cannot classify them as mental health or emotional disorders for any purpose or use mental
health exclusions or contract limitations to limit coverage. But...it's okay to keep limiting health
care and prescription drug access for mental health?
- I don't have the research studies readily available for these next ones, but I will do some looking
around and try to find them... What is the delay between where we are with medical treatments
versus mental health treatments? What medications do we have for our youth that is FDA
approved for use in children for the purpose that it was prescribed and is able to document the
effects of long-term use? How many individuals had to be at risk of suicide or have psychosis
before the FDA issued the black box warnings? How many parents have relinquished custody of
their children to have the chance to receive mental health treatment? How many parents have
been accused of abuse/neglect because they were blamed for their child's behavior? What
percentage of the current population are receiving adequate mental health benefits now?
Is this my opinion? Yes, but it is also a matter of fact. This page was created to help inform the
population about the ongoing discrimination, inequities and civil/human rights violations to individuals
who have "mental illness". We are all human and have the right to be appreciated for who we are and
supported for what we want to be.
World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the
United Nations system.
Movement for Global Mental Health aims to improve services for people with mental disorders worldwide.
In so doing, two principles are fundamental: first, the action should be informed by the best available
scientific evidence; and, second, it should be in accordance with principles of human rights.
Treatment Advocacy Center is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers to the
timely and effective treatment of severe mental illnesses. The organization promotes laws, policies and
practices for the delivery of psychiatric care and supports the development of innovative treatments for
and research into the causes of severe and persistent psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia and
bipolar disorder.
National Anti-Stigma Clearinghouse was created to track negative stereotypes of mental illnesses and
to provide concerned activists with information about fighting prejudice.
Law Project for Psychiatric Rights (PsychRights) is a public interest law firm whose mission is to mount
a strategic legal campaign against forced psychiatric drugging and electroshock in the United States.
PsychRights was incorporated to undertake a coordinated, strategic, legal effort seeking to end the
abuses against people diagnosed with mental illness through individual legal representation.
Miscellaneous:
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