2013 World Mental Health Day: Taking Care of You

Today is World Mental Health Day. Today, I take a moment to reflect on the many challenges faced by those living with mental illness, especially those who are unable to access treatment. Today is the perfect day to urge others to support mental health prevention, mental health education, and improved access to mental health treatment. Today is our chance to restart the conversation about mental health, to speak openly about uncertainties and misconceptions surrounding mental illnesses, and to move toward eliminating the damaging and unnecessary stigma that lingers around mental illness. There are many obstacles people with mental illness face when trying to access treatment for healing and recovery. Three I want to mention today are access to treatment and resources; stigma; and an uninformed society — including treatment professionals. Many who suffer from mental illness (including my clients, most of whom suffer from eating disorders) are simply unable to access treatment in a way that is affordable and effective. Insurance companies are notorious for denying mental health benefits, leaving countless Americans to suffer their illnesses alone and in silence, and leaving far too many compromised in a potentially life-threatening state of being. Additionally, the fear of reaching out because of stigma, of being labeled or written off as “mentally ill,” can hinder many from seeking help. Part of the problem is the myriad mental illness stereotypes and misconceptions ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Disorders Ethics & Morality General Mental Health and Wellness Policy and Advocacy Treatment World Mental Health Day Civil Rights Health Care House Of Representatives Illness Insurance Companies Jennifer Louden Medicine Mental Source Type: blogs