President Obama highlighted elements of the Affordable Care Act that will help those with mental illnesses seek and obtain care in his opening remarks at the National Conference on Mental Health, held Monday at the White House.
“It’s not enough to help more Americans seek treatment, we also need to make sure treatment is there,” he said. “Next year, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny anyone coverage because of a pre-existing mental health condition.”
The administration will also launch mentalhealth.gov, a website that features resources to teach the basics of mental health and how to talk about mental illness accompanied by videos featuring celebrities and everyday Americans whose lives have been affected by mental illness.
“Too many Americans who struggle with mental illness suffer in silence rather than seek help,” Obama added. “We can help people who suffer from a mental illness continue to be the great colleagues and friends and parents we know.”
