Fitzpatrick Calls for End to Mental Health Stigmas, Discrimination

Fitzpatrick Calls for End to Mental Health Stigmas, Discrimination

National Mental Health Month seeks to draw attention to 1-in-5 Americans living with mental illness

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8), along with a bipartisan group of lawmakers, introduced legislation [H.Res. 572] earlier this month designating the first full week of May as 'National Mental Health No Stigma Week' to draw attention to mental health care and education as part of the larger awareness efforts of Mental Health Month.

"More than 61 million American adults suffer from some diagnosable mental illness - along with millions more children and teens. They are our family members, friends and neighbors," said Fitzpatrick. "For many, the stigmatization of their illness has forced them to endure discrimination or abuse, or avoid the treatment they need out of fear of judgment. Not only is this wrong, it's deplorable to think that it is taking place in 2014."

In seeking to draw attention to mental health issues, the legislation notes that "while 1 in 5 people in the United States lives with a mental disorder, estimates indicate that nearly two-thirds of all people with a diagnosable mental illness do not seek treatment" - many because of stigma. Additionally, only 26% of Americans say that people are generally caring or sympathetic toward individuals with mental illness, demonstrating the prevalence of stigma.

"'No Stigma Week,' and Mental Health Month, provide chances to not only draw attention to the problem - but to talk about the solutions," added Fitzpatrick. "While much of the work comes at the local level by empowering people and non-profit groups to address the challenges of mental illness, support for bipartisan legislation at the federal level can make a real difference."

"We continue to strive to improve access to treatment and ensure a wide array of services are available to support each person in their individual recovery," said Mary Beth Mahoney MS, Administrator of the Bucks County Dept. of Mental Health/Developmental Programs. "We are also looking to partner with community groups to reduce stigma associated with Mental Illness through the offering of Mental Health First Aid training."

Fitzpatrick, a member of the Military Mental Health Caucus and champion of mental healthcare reform efforts, has backed several pieces of legislation to increase quality of care for mental illness, including:

. Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act http: //murphy.house.gov/helpingfamiliesinmentalhealthcrisisact#Letters of Support [H.R. 3717]

* Bipartisan legislation aimed at reforming federal support for untreated mental illness by increasing access to trained professionals, growing communications between doctors and families, and ensuring federal funds for treatments, not bureaucracy.

* Supported by: American Psychological Assoc., American Psychiatric Assoc., National Alliance on Mental Illness, LEAP Institute, National Assoc. of Psychiatric Health Systems

* Medical Evaluation Parity for Service Members (MEPS) Act http: //thompson.house.gov/press-release/us-reps-glenn-thompson-tim-ryan-int roduce-%E2%80%9Cmedical-evaluation-parity-service-members [H.R. 4305]

* Bipartisan legislation to help identify mental health issues and improve suicide prevention by instituting a mental health assessment for all incoming military recruits.

* Supported by: AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Psychological Assoc., National Military Family Assoc.