Washington — The National Association of
Social Workers (NASW) agrees with the recently released report
from President Bush’s
New Freedom Commission on Mental Health recommending fundamental
change for America’s failing mental health care system. Social
workers also strongly concur with the commissions’ emphasis
on recovery and community living as the major outcomes of mental
health services.
“Mental health is as important as physical health,” says
Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, executive director of NASW. “Mental
health treatment should be provided in parity with treatment for
other types of illness in all health care plans.”
“Mental health parity has been a legislative priority for
the Association. Social workers throughout the country agree that
mental health care in America is inadequate and needs transformation.
We’ve been saying this for years, ” Clark says. “Let’s
hope that the President and Congress now see the importance as
well.”
Nationwide, social workers provide the majority of mental health
and therapy services. Social workers emphasize that a more integrated
system of care — focusing on prevention, empowerment, and
recovery — is
necessary to transform the current mental health care service delivery.
For more information about NASW’s position on mental health
care, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Clark or social workers
with expertise in mental health, please contact NASW Communications
at media@naswdc.org
