Copyright 2000 P.G. Publishing Co.
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette
July 18, 2000, Tuesday, SOONER EDITION
SECTION: HEALTH, Pg. F-4, PERSPECTIVES
LENGTH: 701 words
HEADLINE:
CRISIS OF MENTAL ILLNESS;
REPLACE THE STIGMA OF DISEASE WITH COMPASSION AND
AID
BYLINE: HARRIET BAUM
BODY:
Americans are in the midst of a public health crisis so widespread
that one in five people is faced with it each year. And remarkably, we don't
seem to notice. The crisis is mental illness and our inability as a society to
accept it as a medical problem with effective treatment options that can improve
the lives of the mentally ill, their families, and, ultimately, our nation.
An estimated 640,000 Pennsylvanians have a mental illness. And
unfortunately, mostYet our society continues to fear and blame people with
mental illnesses, as if a character flaw or weakness is at the heart of their
condition. Our society also believes that mental illness leads to violence.
Study after study has shown that mental illness has a biological basis. And
study after study has shown that people with mental illness are no more violent
than the rest of our society. Unfortunately, our nation's
health insurers perpetuate these age-old myths and
misperceptions, separating mental health coverage from all
other types of medical coverage. Insurers typically
discriminate against those seeking mental health treatment by:
imposing higher copayments for treatment; allowing fewer days of treatment; and
setting unreasonably low annual limits that can be surpassed in a single
hospitalization. As consumers within this health care system, we need to make
the important connection between the mind and the body and demand equal
coverage.
Last December, U.S. Surgeon General David SatcherBarriers such
as stigma and the extraordinary financial burden keep nearly two-thirds of all
people with mental illness from seeking treatment. The stigma, alone, is so
great that an estimated 100,000 people with mental illness do not receive
treatment for fear of social persecution. This very lack of treatment stands in
the way of many individuals finding education, housing, employment, and the
resulting quality of life.
Looking back through the ages, most people
with serious mental illness have been entirely hidden from society. Until recent
decades, with the move toward deinstitutionalization, few of us had to think
about mental illness, except for those who suffered from it, and their families,
which suffered as well. Mental illness wasn't discussed. And the mentally ill
often became nameless, faceless, non-members of society.
Today, in the
enlightened year 2000, with many effective treatments available, far too many
individuals with mental illness continue to face discrimination, fear and
mistrust. Afraid to disclose their condition, they suffer in silence and
isolation. As with cancer 30 years ago, or AIDS 10 years ago, people are afraid
to mention the words, let alone disclose that they or a family member have a
mental illness. Mental illness is not something that happens to someone else's
family. It happens to one in five people. It can happen to you or your child,
your favorite aunt, your co-worker.
If someone you care about exhibits
symptoms of a mental illness, encourage him to get help. For family members,
classes and support groups are available throughout our region to help them
better understand and care for their mentally ill loved ones. Family members
often find that education and support are their greatest allies.
Thesurgeon general's report should be a wake-up call to every American
with a heart and a conscience. It is time for each of us to replace fear and
ignorance with education and knowledge. It is time for us to recognize that
mental illnesses are medical conditions that can be treated effectively. It is
time for us to accept those with mental illnesses as human beings who deserve to
be treated with dignity. And it is time for us to insist that our lawmakers go
further in addressing issues of fair health insurance coverage for every
individual in every state of our nation. The trumpet has sounded. It is time for
action.
Harriet Baum is executive director of NAMI Southwestern
Pennsylvania, a grassroots organization providing support, education, and
advocacy efforts for children, adolescents and adults with a serious mental
illness, and for family members, caregivers, and the community. To reach this
organization, call 412-366-3788.
GRAPHIC: DRAWING,
Drawing: Dan Marsula/Post-Gazette:
LOAD-DATE: July 19,
2000 
