[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2008

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to voice my strong support for H. 
Res. 1134, supporting the goals and ideals of Mental Health Month. This 
legislation applauds the hard work of practitioners and national and 
community organizations in promoting mental health awareness, and 
supports improving the overall quality of life for those with mental 
illness. H. Res. 1134 also supports the findings of the President's 
Commission on Mental Health that the nation's failure to prioritize 
mental health is a national tragedy.
  Mr. Speaker, mental health is no less important than physical health. 
In fact, as science is proving, mental health and physical health are 
intertwined in complex ways that are only beginning to be understood. 
The relationship between depression and heart disease is just one 
example of the inherent symbiosis of psychiatric and somatic illnesses.
  Just as the heart is the organ upon which heart disease preys, the 
brain is the organ plagued by diseases of the mind. Likewise, death as 
a result of suicide is no less tragic than death secondary to a heart 
attack. Those suffering from severe psychiatric illness should not be 
held to a lesser standard of care than those suffering from physical 
illnesses.
  Ensuring access to appropriate services is central to improving the 
quality of life for those with mental illness. The issue of mental 
health insurance parity, in my opinion, is a civil rights issue. 
Inequity of coverage with regard to mental health and substance abuse 
treatment benefits is tantamount to discrimination against the mentally 
ill, and it reinforces the strategy of insurance companies to deny care 
rather than provide care.
  The mental health community scored a victory for its patients earlier 
this year when the House voted to pass H.R. 1424, the ``Paul Wellstone 
Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act of 2007.''
  It has taken courage on the part of Congressmen like my colleague 
Patrick Kennedy to stand up to special interests and ``do the right 
thing'' when it comes to ending discrimination against the mentally ill 
and standing up to health insurance companies. There is still work to 
be done before a mental health insurance parity bill is signed into 
law. Hopefully, the bill will soon be reconciled into a form which will 
benefit psychiatric patients and end discrimination against the 
mentally ill.
  Mr. Speaker, let us applaud the tireless work and unending 
determination of those fighting to improve the lives of the mentally 
ill. Let us also be reminded that there is much work to be done before 
the stigma associated with mental illness is ended, and the lives of 
those suffering from mental illness are valued as much as those 
suffering from other medical illnesses.

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