Hillary Clinton's New Platform Is A Blow To Mental Health Stigma

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton released a wide-ranging mental health plan on Monday, saying that her office would support Americans living with mental health issues through better legislation. “The next generation must grow up knowing that mental health is a key component of overall health and there is no shame, stigma or barriers to seeking out care,” Clinton’s campaign stressed in an announcement. Of course, candidate platforms rarely remain intact if they actually become policy after election day, but Clinton’s focus on normalizing mental health treatment reflects growing efforts to reduce the stigma and social pressures that keep people from getting help. The proposed policies include increased funding for community mental health centers, investing in more brain and behavioral research and creating a nation-wide initiative for suicide prevention, which claims the lives of more than 40,000 Americans each year. The plan would require insurance companies to offer adequate coverage for psychiatric disorders, with a goal of improving access and affordability.  The plan also addressed the concerns of specific communities, calling for better police training on how to interact with those in crisis and aiming to tackle maternal depression and early intervention for children who may be experiencing psychological issues.  The next generation must grow up knowing that mental health is a key component of overall h...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - Category: Science Source Type: news