The Fight For Mental Health Parity

The lack of genuine, equal access to care for mental health and substances abuse disorders in comparison to medical health coverage by insurers continues to limit access to care and exacerbate already debilitating diagnoses that could be managed with appropriate and early interventions. Overall health wellness includes both the body and the mind.

Opinion | We must treat mental and bodily health the same. It's a matter of human rights.

Rosalynn Carter, former first lady of the United States, is an advocate for mental-health care through the Carter Center. Patrick J. Kennedy, former U.S. representative (D-R.I.) from 1995 to 2011, is the founder of the Kennedy Forum and author of "A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction."