Political Quotes

“Our mental health system is abusive and neglectful to those with a serious mental illness. Worse yet, these policies disproportionately impact minorities and the poor. African Americans are 50 percent less likely to receive psychiatric treatment. Outpatient mental health spending for African Americans is 40 percent lower. While there is an overall shortage of mental health professionals, only 3 percent of psychiatrists and 2 percent of psychologists are African American. The rate is similar for Latino mental health professionals and worse for Native Americans. If you are a minority or low income and have a serious mental illness, you are more likely to end up in prison, where 80 percent of inmates don't receive any treatment. If you are low income, Medicaid makes it harder for you to access inpatient mental health treatment, won't let you see two doctors on the same day, and says, you can't take the medications your doctor prescribed. Stop this discrimination. I ask Members to cosponsor and pass the Helping Families of Mental Health Crisis Act, H.R. 2646. People with serious mental illness can and do get better with help, but where there is no help, there is no hope. ____________________”