Mental Health and Addictions Services Advocates Visit Congress, Urge Support for People 'In Desperate Need'

    WASHINGTON DC, June 08, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Public mental health and addictions administrators and psychiatrists, patients and community leaders -- 350 strong from 40 states -- will be in Washington June 9-10 to add their voices to the healthcare reform debate. Representatives from National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council) organizations are meeting with their members of Congress to ask for the resources that people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders need to live full and productive lives.

These advocates arrive in Washington DC as community mental health and addiction treatment organizations nationwide are experiencing a 20 percent surge in demand for services, according to a recent survey by the National Council. Demand is increasing and states are cutting funds -- reducing services, closing programs and imposing hiring freezes.

"Americans are living in the harshest economy in years and our safety net is in danger of collapsing," said Linda Rosenberg, president and CEO of the National Council. "Healthcare reform must give Americans access to the care they need -- effective mental health and addiction services keep us strong, safe and productive."

The economic, social and human costs of mental health and addictions disorders are staggering:
• Mental illness drains our economy of more than $80 billion every year, accounting for 15 percent of the total economic burden of all disease.
• Alcohol and drug abuse contributes to the death of more than 100,000 Americans and costs upwards of half a trillion dollars a year.
• A quarter of all Social Security disability payments are for individuals with mental illness.

"Congress is faced with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure significant additional resources for our nation's mental health and addiction treatment systems," said Chuck Ingoglia, the National Council's vice president, public policy. "For people in a psychiatric crisis and in desperate need, we cannot afford to let this historic opportunity pass."

To prepare for a new era of healthcare accountability while attempting to stem the escalating mortality rates of people with serious mental illnesses, the National Council is pursuing four initiatives:

• Mental Health and Substance-Use Disorders Included in Benefit Packages: Mental health and substance abuse benefits must be part of any nationwide healthcare reform plan, with equitable insurance coverage for mental health and addiction disorders on par with other health conditions.

• "Federally Qualified" Behavioral Health Centers: Create a national standard of evidence-based treatment and supports for persons with mental illnesses and addiction disorders, with reimbursement based upon the cost of delivering services.

• Co-location of Primary Care in Community Behavioral Health Organizations: Enable persons with serious mental illness to benefit from one-stop, comprehensive care for behavioral and physical conditions under one roof.

• HIT Funding: Ensure that community behavioral health organizations are eligible for any federal health information technology funding made available to help physicians, hospitals and community health centers adopt and use electronic health records.

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, www.thenationalcouncil.org, is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,600 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addictions disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives.

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