The House of Representatives and the Senate have both passed their versions of Mental Health Parity (H.R. 1424 and S. 558, respectively); however, in a recent Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) Advocacy Alert, we’re reminded that the battle for Mental Health Parity isn’t quite finished, especially given the limited number of legislative days the House and the Senate have to come up with and agree on Mental Health Parity law that will benefit us all.
After seven years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears, victory is finally within reach. We are so close to the enactment of Mental …read more

They’re all part of this week’s Saturday Sanity!
It’s not unusual to skim through the other b5media Science & Health Channel blogs and find mental health-related discussions going on. Here are a few from this week:

Elaine at Genetics & Health posted Happiness is down to your genes, a look at a University of Edinburgh and Queensland Institute for Medical Research study dealing with happiness being “partly determined by personality traits and that both personality and happiness are largely hereditary.”
Marijke at Help My Hurt posted Don’t bother with aromatherapy – it won’t help your pain, which highlights a recent study suggesting aromatherapy …read more

Last night I spread the word about the House passing the Paul Wellstone Mental Health And Addiction Equality Act (H.R. 1424), reminded you that though we still have much to do the goal is in sight, and promised to keep you updated as new information became available.
Well, less than 24 hours later, I’ve received an advocacy alert from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) urging me to send a message to President George W. Bush, Vice President Richard B. Cheney, my U.S. Senators, and my U.S. House Representative.
I encourage you to do the same!
You can read the DBSA …read more

It’s a happy day night morning (oh, man, I really need to work on a getting a regular sleep schedule going on) time for mental health patients, advocates, and family members and friends! Oh, who am I kidding – it’s a happy time for all Americans!
The House just passed the Paul Wellstone Mental Health And Addiction Equality Act (H.R. 1424)! (That link will take you to an explanation of H.R. 1424.)
You can view the official Yeas and Nays online. (Why does it seem like Republicans aren’t so keen on having mental health and substance abuse parity?)
To my understanding, now that …read more

I received an email from Mental Health America regarding a House of Representatives vote on a comprehensive mental health/substance use parity bill Wednesday, March 5, 2008. I’m sharing this email in hopes that each of you will take any of the suggested actions before March 5.
Dear Alicia,
Sustaining the momentum you helped launch, the House of Representatives has scheduled a historic vote on a comprehensive mental health/substance use parity bill Wednesday, March 5. This vote is critical to our shared goal of winning enactment of a strong mental health parity law this year. Here’s how you can help:

Send an e-mail. …read more