On June 3, the White House hosted a day-long conference with health care experts, psychologists, faith leaders, and advocates for veterans, and a host of administration officials to kick off a national conversation about mental health in the United States. Nationally, an estimated 45 million Americans suffer from illnesses like depression, bi polar, schizophrenia or post-traumatic stress syndrome. President Obama had a lot to say about both mental health and substance abuse issues in the U.S.
President Obama opened his speech with, “We all know somebody — a family member, a friend, a neighbor — that has struggled or will struggle with mental health issues at some point in their lives.” This conference is just one part of the Obama administration’s effort to raise awareness and improve care for Americans experiencing mental health issues.
The same day as this conference the administration launched a new website — mentalhealth.gov, which offers resources for those suffering from mental illness and sharing success stories from those who’ve received treatment. In addition, the Affordable Care Act is expanding mental health coverage for millions of Americans. Together they are working to improve access to mental health services for veterans, and we’re supporting initiatives to help educators recognize and refer students who show signs of mental illness.
During the conference Obama was quoted as saying, “We want to let people living with mental health challenges know that they are not alone. We’ve got to be making sure that we’re committed to support those fellow Americans because struggling with a mental illness or caring for someone who does can be isolating. I think everybody here who has experienced the issue in one way or the other understands that. It begins to feel as if not only are you alone, but that you shouldn’t burden others with the challenge.”
“The darkness day in and day out‑‑ what some call a cloud that you just can’t seem to escape‑‑begins to close in. The truth is in any given year one in five adults experience mental illness. One in five or 45 million Americans suffer from things like depression or anxiety, bi polar, schizophrenia or PTSD. Young people are affected at a similar rate. So we all know somebody, a family member, a friend, a neighbor, who has struggled or will struggle with mental health issues at some point in their lives,” the President went on to say.
“We’ve seen veterans who come home from the battlefield with the invisible wounds of war. Who feel somehow that seeking treatment is a sign of weakness, when in fact, it’s a sign of strength. We see it in parents, who would do anything for their kids, but they often fight their mental health battle alone, afraid that reaching out would somehow reflect badly on them,” he said.
Touching on how the country can address these issues and make changes, the President said, “First, we’ve got to do a better job recognizing mental health issues in our children and make it easier for Americans of all ages to seek help. Today less than 40 percent of people with mental illness receive treatment. Less than 40 percent. Even though three‑quarters of mental illnesses emerge by the age of 24, only about half of children with mental health problems receive treatment. Now think about it, we wouldn’t accept it if only 40 percent of Americans with cancers got treatment. We wouldn’t accept it if only half of the young people with diabetes got help. Why should we accept it when it comes to mental health? It doesn’t make any sense.”
Obama went on, “It’s not enough to help more Americans seek treatment, we also have to make sure the treatment is there when they’re ready to seek it. For years now our mental health system has struggled to serve people who depend on it. That’s why under the Affordable Care Act, we’re expanding mental health and substance abuse benefits for more than 60 million Americans. New health insurance.”
In conclusion, Obama said, “You’re not alone. You’re surrounded by people who care about you and who will support you on the journey to get well. We’re here for you and that’s what this conference is about. That’s why these issues are so important. If there’s anybody out there who’s listening, if you’re struggling, seek help.”
