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In reply to the discussion: Mentally ill flood ER as states cut services [View all]cbayer
(146,218 posts)There are no "pink ribbons" for the psychiatrically ill.
The stigma of psychiatric illness remains shamefully high.
Insurance companies have either reduced or eliminated completely coverage for psychiatric illnesses.
Psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals, are woefully underpaid for their services and fewer and fewer physicians are going into the specialty.
Hospitals across the country have completely closed their psychiatric units because of reimbursement and EMTALA issues.
Even Medicare does not treat psychiatric illness the same of other illnesses, in respect to reimbursement rates and limits on services.
And the day to day stresses for average people have continued to grow.
If you throw returning vets into the mix, you have the perfect storm.
It's a national tragedy.