Health insurance for mental illnesses continues to lag coverage for other medical conditions, even though recent legislation attempts to close the gap. Legislation passed by Congress in the last 18 months mandates the insurance industry provide “parity” — coverage for treating mental illnesses equal to and “on par with” coverage for treating other conditions.
As community leaders and employers, are we ready to make the same shift? When we become aware of a friend or co-worker struggling with a mental health condition, how do we respond?
As a board member of Atlanta’s Skyland Trail, a nationally recognized psychiatric nonprofit treatment organization celebrating its 25th anniversary, I have been afforded the opportunity to learn about mental illnesses and have come to understand them as true illnesses, no different from cancer, diabetes or other conditions. I have also been privileged to meet inspiring individuals who’ve overcome such illnesses as bipolar disorder and major depression. I’ve seen women and men successfully return to their families and careers, and young adults return to graduate from college.
Without that insider’s perspective, hope in the context of mental health may seem daunting. We know, however, that treatment works, and recovery is possible.
The consequences of not seeking treatment can be devastating. Consider that in Georgia alone, someone dies from suicide every 7.73 hours. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for Georgians ages 10 to 34, and the fourth-leading cause of death for ages 35 to 54. Suicide costs Georgia nearly $965 million annually in combined lifetime medical expenses and work losses.
Any life lost is a tragedy. We keenly feel the loss of far too many young people dying from suicide, substance abuse and risky behaviors often linked to underlying mental illness. Many of these deaths could be prevented by changing our attitudes about mental health, yielding increased treatment.
While there are significant economic and systemic barriers to effective mental health treatment, we can all make a difference. For starters, we must eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. Stigma impedes people from seeking treatment; may discourage young physicians from seeking careers in mental health, and adversely affects funding for research to improve diagnosis and treatment.
This stigma can be reduced with knowledge. Isn’t it time to learn more about mental health?
A national dialogue is underway about how to best support people diagnosed with a mental illness. Resources and training are available for employers, educators, faith leaders and others to learn what to look for and how to help. We can shift our perspectives on how to treat friends and co-workers struggling with mental health conditions with equal support as those fighting other health issues.
Consider, for instance, how we view cancer survivors. We rightfully support them, and businesses publicly support the cause. We can make a huge positive impact in mental health treatment if we begin to view it similarly, by encouraging and celebrating individuals who work to achieve and sustain recovery.
Atlanta is fortunate to have great resources in its own backyard. World-class organizations like Skyland Trail, the Carter Center and Emory University are advancing the conversation about mental health and helping establish research and treatment on par with other illnesses. We invite you to join the conversation and learn how you can support good mental health for everyone in our organizations and community.
John Gordon is board chairman of Skyland Trail, an Atlanta-based nonprofit psychiatric treatment organization.
