NAPHS Statement on the 2016 National Election

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from:
Mark Covall,
President and CEO,
National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS).
November 9, 2016

American voters last night chose the 45^th President of the United States, and elected individuals to serve in key congressional seats.

As we transition to a new President and Congress, the National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) and our members are committed to our longstanding, bipartisan advocacy for policies that will improve the lives of the millions of Americans of all ages whose lives are affected by mental illnesses and drug and alcohol use disorders. 

The stakes are high for all Americans, with the impact of behavioral health conditions having a wide impact on individuals, families, and communities.  Suicide remains one of the 10 leading causes of death in the United States, and it is the second leading killer of Americans ages 15 to 34. Alcohol is killing Americans at a rate not seen in at least 35 years.  And the United States is experiencing an epidemic of drug overdose deaths.

With lives at stake, this is an opportunity for our leaders – both Republicans and Democrats – to come together to take meaningful action on mental health and substance use policies.

We look forward to working with all members of the new Administration and Congress to ensure that every American has access to and coverage for life-threatening and life-disrupting mental and substance use disorders.

Now is the time for mental health reform.

The National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS) advocates for behavioral health and represents provider systems that are committed to the delivery of responsive, accountable, and clinically effective prevention, treatment, and care for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults with mental and substance use disorders. Its members are behavioral healthcare provider organizations that own or manage more than 800 specialty psychiatric hospitals, general hospital psychiatric and addiction treatment units and behavioral healthcare divisions, residential treatment facilities, youth services organizations, and extensive outpatient networks. The association was founded in 1933. See www.naphs.org for more information.

SOURCE National Association of Psychiatric Health Systems (NAPHS)

Related Links

http://www.naphs.org