In This Issue Mental Health America Report Links States’ Depression Status to Access to Care Capitol hill update President's Column Across the Affiliate Network New Study Reveals Latino Parents’ Views on Bullying, Sexual Orientation and Prejudice New Lecture Series Takes Aim at Health Care Disparities Real Lives Feature Story New Guide Helps People Select the Right Medication New Resources

Mental Health America Report Links States’ Depression Status to Access to Care

First-ever report ranks states by depression status and calls for mental health monitoring system

Mental Health America is calling for policy change with the release of its new report, "Ranking America's Mental Health: An Analysis of Depression Across the States," which for the first time links each state's mental health status and suicide rates to the ability of its residents to access care.

In general, states that offer more access to mental health services have lower rates of depression and suicide than states with more limited access to care.

RANKING THE STATES continued...

Capitol Hill Update

Legislation Gains Face New Challenges, Grassroots Advocacy Must be Sustained

With the first session of the 110th Congress coming to a close, Congress is still struggling in the second week of December to meet its obligation to keep federal departments and agencies funded through the fiscal year. Presidential vetoes, further veto threats, policy and partisan differences, and limited time on the congressional calendar are all playing a role in lowering expectations for legislation and increased federal human services funding. Prospects for both held more promise earlier in the year. Although Mental Health America advocacy efforts had helped win impressive gains on multiple fronts through much of the session and we continue to try to resuscitate unresolved issues, few measures now appear headed to a successful outcome. Some key issues, like parity, are likely to be deferred until Congress reconvenes for a second session early next year. Others may not become ripe for action again until the next Congress.

Capitol Hill continued...