Mental Health

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness in a given year.  Approximately 1 in 25 adults experience a mental illness so severe that substantially interferes or limits one or more major life activity.  Approximately 1 in 5 youth ages 13-18 experiences a severe mental disorder at some point in their life.

The prevalence of mental illness in the United States is contributing to our homelessness numbers, our prison population, and our juvenile offenders.  It is estimated that serious mental illness costs the U.S. $193.2 billion in lost earnings each year.  Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the 2nd leading cause of death for those aged 15-24.  More than 90% of children who die by suicide have a mental health condition.  Each day, an estimated 18-22 veterans die by suicide.

With nearly 1 in 5 adults experiencing mental illness in a given year, nearly everyone has a story or a personal experience with mental illness.  As a teacher, I see either students with untreated mental illness in my class every year or students being raised by parents with mental health issues, and the effects are devastating for that child and their peers.  As a member of this American society, I witness the consequences of poorly and untreated mental illness in small ways daily and in big ways as I read the news of domestic abuse, mass shootings, sexual assault, and more.  I have my own experiences of depression and anxiety which I largely attribute to my own coming out process and postpartum struggles, and I am forever changed by the suicide of Lauren’s cousin, Matthew, on October 1, 2014 at 18 years of age.  

Thankfully, in July, bipartisan mental health reform passed in the House 422-2.  Highlights from the reform include specialized training to first responders in responding to people with mental illness, many life-saving measures to combat suicide in schools and communities, and providing grants for infant and early childhood intervention and treatment.  Now, the Senate needs to act.

Here is where the presidential candidates stand on the issue of mental health reform.

Clinton:  Clinton’s agenda is comprehensive with an effort to bring mental health care on par with physical health care.  To date, no presidential candidate has offered up such groundbreaking attention to the issue of mental health disparities.  For this purpose, I am going to separate her plan into sections.

Early Diagnosis & Intervention

The hardest part of my job is reaching a point where there is absolutely nothing more you can do for a child who so desperately needs help which is why Clinton’s plan to “scale up funding for programs through which pediatricians and schools seek to identify and support children facing behavioral problems” is truly transformational to me.  She will promote early diagnosis and intervention by increasing public awareness and action concerning maternal depression, infant mental health, and trauma and stress in youth.  She will also encourage colleges and universities to provide comprehensive mental health services.

Suicide Prevention

As mentioned earlier, I will never be the same following the suicide of Lauren’s cousin, Matthew at age 18.  America is facing the highest suicide rate in 30 years which is becoming increasingly prevalent in youth, college students, veterans, and older adults.  Clinton will launch a national cross-governmental suicide prevention initiative to be led by the surgeon general and involving the Department of Health & Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the USDA.  She will provide federal support for suicide prevention programs in high schools and colleges with added attention on LGBT students (who are more likely to commit suicide) and students of color (where suicide rates are on the rise).

Brain Research

Clinton will invest in brain behavioral science research as a part of an overall new investment in scientific research.  She will provide new federal funding into brain development and human behavior.

Health Care

As part of her commitment to ensure that mental health care is on par with physical health care, Clinton will work to foster better integration of behavioral health in general health care settings.  She will launch a national strategy to boost the number of mental health care providers.  The Mental Health Parity & Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (which Clinton co-sponsored) requires group health plans to require the same quality benefits for mental health as it does other medical conditions, and yet many are still turned away.  She will strengthen federal monitoring of this law and make it easier for individuals to file a complaint when their rights are violated.

Prison

Clinton will ensure adequate training for law enforcement on crisis intervention.  She will also direct the attorney general to instruct federal prosecutors to prioritize treatment over prison for low-level, nonviolent offenders.  She will increase investment in local initiatives such as specialized courts, drug courts, and veterans’ treatment courts, which emphasize rehabilitation over incarceration.

Housing & Employment

Clinton will launch a global initiative to expand community-based housing opportunities for individuals living with mental illness through the Department of Housing & Urban Development, the Department of Health & Human Services, & the USDA.  She will work to expand job opportunities for individuals with mental health issues by working with private employers and state and local mental health authorities.  She will also increase support for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness program which investigates instances of abuse and neglect, seeks legal action, and ensures enforcement of laws on behalf of individuals with mental health issues.

Experience:

Clinton has a long history of supporting disability legislation.  These are just two highlights.  As Senator, she co-sponsored the Campus Care & Counseling Act focused on mental health care and suicide prevention on college campuses.  She also co-sponsored the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act and supported a $500 million dollar increase in mental health care for veterans.

Trump:  Healthcare reform is one of Trump’s seven positions listed on his website.  Under that umbrella, he says this of mental health:  “Finally, we need to reform our mental health programs and institutions in this country. Families, without the ability to get the information needed to help those who are ailing, are too often not given the tools to help their loved ones. There are promising reforms being developed in Congress that should receive bi-partisan support.”  This references the bill passed in the House that has yet to pass in the Senate that I mentioned above.  He calls mental health reform “a top priority in my administration” but offers no official plan.