We haven’t always looked at mental health illnesses as actual health problems. In the past, mental diseases weren’t held in the same light as others. Cancer and asthma were more “real ” than chronic depression or general anxiety disorder (GAD).
Today, we know that mental health conditions are a big part of overall health — and they should be taken care of just like physical health.
A piece in the Washington Post examined the growing awareness of mental health conditions, and the push in Congress to pass legislation to ensure that insurance would cover mental health care equally.
The U.S. Senate did approve legislation in September, the Mental Health Parity Act, which granted mental illnesses the same coverage as physical conditions. Several committees in the U.S. House of Representatives have backed the Parity Act, as well. Many health care experts hope it will become law by the end of this year.
The Post also raised the question of whether or not discrimination comes into play. Employees can be afraid that if their employers find out they have a mental illness, they may be treated differently at work or even fired. Laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act help protect workers with mental illnesses from discrimination, but people are still uneasy about letting it be known they have a mental health condition.
This fear of discrimination may be enough to prevent many Americans from getting the care they need for their mental health.
So, what do you think… should all mental health care be covered by insurance equally? And does discrimination against those with mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety really exist?