Public lacks awareness about mental health rights
According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 27 percent of Americans have received treatment from a mental health professional. And yet, a mere four percent are aware of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008, which mandates insurance coverage for these conditions.
Doug Walter, J.D., associate executive director of government relations, was heavily involved in the passage of the parity bill, but notes that scant media efforts during the process did not draw attention to the issue. “You get laws passed through advocacy and grassroots efforts,” he explains, “although there was quite a bit of media splash at the time of passage.”
For the APA, parity has been a two-pronged issue: enforcement and public awareness. “We are trying to make people aware in plain terms. We want them to know about the benefits they have when facing mental health or substance abuse disorders. It’s a slow process,” says Walter, attributing low awareness to the fact that the average consumer doesn’t focus on mental health benefits until they need them.
Walter notes that when the law was enacted, a number of states held their own awareness programs. Rosanna Lak, executive director of the Vermont Psychological Association (VPA), indicates that her association has always been a strong advocate for public access to mental health care and has been involved on a number of fronts to improve it. “We consistently remind psychologists that they should inform their clients of the health care options available to them,” she says. “We have a number of board members who serve on different Vermont state committees and workgroups to insure that mental health services are included within parity as the new plans evolve and that access to care is in the forefront.”
Additionally, the VPA publishes op-ed articles on occasion and news releases related to association activities. Lak adds, “We have not had a program for consumers, but instead work through our psychologists to get the word out. This has been an on-going effort.”
Angel Brownawell, integrated media manager at the APA, cites a grassroots network of psychologists engaged in public education in an effort to raise awareness. “They reach out to the community to do workshops, media interviews and help spread the message about mental health parity,” she says.
Language and terminology might be a challenge for the average citizen speculates Bob Carolla, J.D., director of media relations for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “People may recognize and understand some terms like ‘pre-existing
condition,’ but not necessarily others, like ‘parity’,” he says. “They are ordinary people, not ‘policy wonks.’ They don’t recognize or use the term parity per se. Many people simply don’t see themselves as vulnerable to mental health issues, which may be related to stigma. They don’t expect to need mental health benefits and don’t even focus on them. As an issue or term, mental health parity doesn’t make any impression.”
The APA last conducted this survey in 2010, with similar results. Walter admits that it’s challenging to inform the public and providers about what is available. To increase awareness and education about parity, the APA has created a number of resources, including a consumer guide and informational video.