WASHINGTON, June 10, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Eight of the nation's most prominent mental health and addiction organizations united today to launch Mental Health for US, a landmark nonpartisan initiative designed to elevate mental health and addiction in policy conversations during the upcoming election season.
Nearly one in five Americans live with mental illness and one in 12 live with addiction. In 2017, 70,237 Americans died from a drug overdose. Every day, an estimated 17 veterans die by suicide, and more than 46% of homeless adults within the U.S. live with severe mental illness. By educating the public on the severity of America's health crisis, Mental Health for US seeks to be a catalyst in effectively and holistically addressing mental health and addiction to reduce suicide and overdose deaths.
The movement launched at The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's 10th Annual Advocacy Forum by former U.S. Representative and co-chair of the Mental Health for US initiative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-R.I.). Former U.S. Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR), a long-time mental health advocate, will also serve as co-chair.
The eight coalition leaders for Mental Health for US are:
"Nationwide, families are being ripped apart by deaths of despair from suicides and overdoses," said Rep. Kennedy, founder of The Kennedy Forum. "This election cycle, as all eyes are on policymakers, we want to unite the American people in demanding legislative action from our government to adequately address the worst public health crisis of our time."
Mental Health for US presents a comprehensive policy platform with three main focus areas:
Voters are encouraged to join Mental Health for US by signing a statement of support, sharing their stories, distributing resources and tools to encourage active civic engagement, and attending grassroots events to engage candidates. The first events will take place in Iowa and New Hampshire in the fall of 2020. Organizations and policymakers are also encouraged to get involved?resources include communications toolkits, policy and issue briefs, and more.
"The suicide rate has skyrocketed over the past 20 years because mental health and substance use disorders often go undetected and undertreated," said Sen. Smith. "Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in America. Now more than ever, we need our government leaders to stand up and champion systemic change. We have to make our voices heard."
Later this year, Mental Health for US will provide all presidential candidates polling 1% or above in a national poll tracked by RealClearPolitics the opportunity to get on the record about these issues by responding to a mental health and addiction survey. Candidate responses will be published verbatim on the initiative's website.
In addition to co-chairs Kennedy and Smith, the Mental Health for US bipartisan honorary advisory board includes:
Initial champion sponsors of the Mental Health for US initiative include The Kennedy Forum, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and Kaiser Permanente. Other sponsors include Janssen Neuroscience.
Any organization that supports the initiative's mission is welcome to join as a member. In addition to the founding leaders, Mental Health for US coalition members include:
If your organization is interested in joining, contact [email protected].
Watch a livestream video of the Mental Health for US announcement here.
About Mental Health for US
Mental Health for US is a nonpartisan educational initiative focused on elevating mental health and addiction in policy conversations by empowering grassroots advocates and improving candidate and policymaker health literacy. The initiative is powered by a coalition of stakeholder groups from around the country dedicated to uniting the American people to make systemic, long-term change with civic engagement tools and resources. For more information, visit www.mentalhealthforus.net.
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SOURCE Mental Health for US
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