NAMI News

Suicide rates in older persons are on the rise and, yet, symptoms of depression are rarely recognized and treated in this population, reports the current issue of the Decade of the Brain, a quarterly science-based publication of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). As many as nine out of ten older persons who have depression do not get treatment for this disorder.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) today applauded passage of a Senate amendment designed to ensure that health plans offered to children as part of a new federal program do not discriminate against children with severe mental illnesses.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) today praised Texas Governor George Bush and Texas lawmakers for taking a stand against insurance discrimination. HB 1173, signed into law by the Governor on Friday, requires insurance companies to provide insurance parity, coverage for brain disorders on par with other physical illnesses.

Vermont Governor Howard Dean today took a significant step towards ending insurance discrimination against people with brain disorders.

Earlier this year, PacifiCare, California's second largest health maintenance organization (HMO), removed two antidepressants, Prozac and Zoloft, and one antipsychotic, Risperdal, from its list of covered drugs -- a decision which leaves consumers with few choices in drug therapy. This policy limitation will affect more than 15 percent of the 2 million members who belong to PacifiCare.

One in three individuals with severe mental illness has been turned down for a job for which they were qualified because of a psychiatric label, according to a new study released today at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting by the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).

Jack Valenti, president of the Motion Picture Association, will lead a tribute to U.S. Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Mrs. Nancy Domenici hosted by the New Mexico state affiliate of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI).

The Missouri legislature has a unique opportunity to rectify a great wrong. For too long, people with severe mental illnesses have been denied adequate health insurance coverage. HB 335 would establish nondiscriminatory parity coverage in managed healthcare plans for major mental illnesses.

We commend Janssen Pharmaceutica for launching its "Person-to-Person" initiative. This innovative program will provide a valuable support service to persons with schizophrenia, to their families, and to health care providers. Through a program that strengthens the link between patients, family members, and the health care system, "Person-to-Person" can be a useful tool in rebuilding lives interrupted by a debilitating brain disorder.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) has serious concerns about inadequate services for people who are disabled by serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia and severe mood and anxiety disorders under the TennCare Partners Program.