ALEXANDRIA, Va. (June 7, 1999) A slew of historic federal mental health policy proposals will help people from all walks of life, from birth through old age, according to Michael M. Faenza, President and CEO of the National Mental Health Association.

A key outcome of today's White House Conference on Mental Health will be a reduction in stigma that comes from greater public knowledge. "Stigma keeps people with mental illnesses from treatment because they are afraid of public opinion," Faenza said. "Today's messages from the White House that mental illnesses are real, common and treatable will help change public attitudes and lead more people into treatment. "

Perhaps the most important announcement today is President Clinton's parity plan. He will require the 285 health insurers participating in the huge Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to give nine million federal employees and their families mental health and substance abuse benefits on par with their physical health benefits.

"Mental health parity is a civil rights issue the federal government is rightly taking the lead on," Faenza said.

The historic action also will give a push to mental health parity in the U.S. Congress. Rep. Marge Roukema (R-NJ) has introduced parity legislation as broad as the President's (H.R. 1515). Sens. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Paul Wellstone (D-MN) have offered a narrower bill covering only severe mental illnesses (S.796). The Office of Personnel Management estimates that comprehensive mental health parity will increase costs by 1 to 3 percent, in keeping with cost experiences in Minnesota and Vermont.

The political move toward parity reflects public opinion. A new poll of 1,029 Americans commissioned by NMHA finds that 90 percent think health insurance should cover mental illnesses just the same as physical illnesses. The poll also found that one in four Americans has experienced mental illness in the family.

For more information on the poll or NMHA programs, call (703) 838-7528. For more information on mental illnesses and their treatments, the public may call (800) 969-6642.

Established in 1909, the National Mental Health Association is a nationwide network of mental health advocates seeking broad-based healthcare reform for all people with mental and emotional disorders.