Hillary Clinton just took one big step toward erasing the stigma against mental illness in the U.S. Yesterday the Democratic nominee announced a comprehensive plan to combat mental health issues if she's elected to office. At the top of her agenda: creating treatment centers, requiring that mental health care claims be handled fairly by insurance providers, and creating opportunities for those with a mental illness to lead independent and successful lives.
Here's why this is such a big deal: In 2014, the federal government estimated that approximately one in five U.S. adults had suffered from a mental illness within the past year, according to The Associated Press.
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Hillary’s plan will emphasize early diagnosis and intervention, including a national initiative focusing specifically on suicide prevention. If elected, Hillary says she'll also hold a White House mental health conference within her first year.
Her plan will also work to make it easier for those suffering from mental illness to seek treatment by expanding community-based treatment centers. These clinics would provide a range of physical and mental health services including emergency psychiatric care, treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, and peer support.
Hillary's proposal would also train law enforcement officers in crisis intervention and prioritize treatment over jail for non-violent, low-level offenders who suffer from mental illness. Additionally, this plan would enforce mental health parity laws that require mental health benefits be equal to medical and surgical benefits offered by health insurance providers.
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The proposal would also fight stigmas by making housing and job opportunities more accessible to those with mental health problems.
By comparison, Donald Trump’s stance on mental health care has been murky. The Republican nominee hasn't offered up a specific plan to aid the mentally ill. On the contrary, his language on the subject of mental illness been polarizing and stigma-perpetuating. During an October debate, Trump declared gun-free zones “target practice for the sickos and for the mentally ill.”
Visit Women's Health's Mental Health Awareness center for more information on how you can help break the stigma surrounding mental illness.
