Illness in people with intellectual disabilities is common, underdiagnosed and poorly managed.
Depression and other mental health problems prompted 156 million visits to doctors' offices, clinics, and hospital outpatient departments in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Problems with mental health were one of the top three reasons for Americans to seek treatment. Also, the number of mental health visits has increased 30 percent since 1996.
Although research in this area is in its infancy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is generally revealed by a recent overview to be a promising therapy in terms of clinical effectiveness.
In a historic vote, the U.S. House of Representatives will, for the first time, take up comprehensive legislation today to outlaw health insurance practices that discriminate against Americans with mental health and substance-use conditions under employer-sponsored health care plans. If enacted, the bill would provide comprehensive parity for 87 million Americans covered by self-insured plans and another 31 million covered by insured plans that are subject to state regulation.