Health care reform is one of the most pressing issues facing our nation. But the presidential candidates and the political parties have paid little attention to the importance of mental health and substance abuse as part of health reform efforts. We cannot miss this opportunity.
Sign the Petition!
Considering all the ways it affects us, mental health is the largest public health and economic concern facing our country.
About one in four American adults over 55 million people live with a diagnosable mental health or substance abuse condition.
Despite proven prevention practices, over half of children and adults and thousands of returning servicemen and women are not receiving the treatment and services they need.
Individuals with severe mental illnesses die, on average, 25 years earlier than the general population.
In 2002 serious mental illnesses cost over $193 billion annually in lost earnings alone which is more money than the gross revenues of 499 or the Fortune 500 companies.
Chronic illnesses drive 75% of health care costs and the mental and addictive conditions are the most chronic and disabling health condition in the US.
There is no health without mental health. NOW IS THE TIME for America to adopt health care reform that will save tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars, while strengthening families and communities across the country.
Mental Health America has joined with more than 40 national organizations to sponsor the Whole Health Campaign, which is calling on the presidential candidates and their parties to make mental health an integral part of any health care reform. You can learn more about the campaign at
http://www.wholehealthcampaign.org/.
We have developed an easy-to-use online petition to collect signatures from Americans who want the candidates and political parties to recognize the importance of mental health and substance use issues. The petitions will be delivered to both major presidential candidates and political party platform committees later this summer.
Help make mental health a health care priority. Click here to sign the petition:
http://takeaction.mentalhealthamerica.net/wholehealthcampaign
People can sign the petition and forward the message along.
