LATEST LETTERS

More info. on mental illness

Wednesday, October 31 at 2:00 PM

Carl Clark, M.D., Chief Executive Officer Mental Health Center of Denver writes:

Thank you for the excellent story last Saturday, “Mental Illness Reduces Life Expectancy, Study Shows.” This story and the study it cites in the Journal of American Medicine both point to yet another major gap in America’s healthcare system. It’s a national tragedy to let thousands of Americans die 25 years prematurely when healthcare integration can allow earlier and more effective interventions for these people.
As the story points out, it’s inhumane and inefficient to separate the mental health needs from the physical needs of our friends, families and co-workers. As the article cited, these conditions often escalate in tandem. Therefore, all healthcare providers must work together to realize a positive outcome for the millions of Americans, including thousands of Coloradoans, who have serious mental illness and undiagnosed physical disorders.
First, I urge everyone who knows a person with serious mental illness to help that person seek physical screens for cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, diabetes and other ailments that are all too common among this overlooked population. Your community mental health center can help you find available resources in your area. Some of the centers now have primary care doctors funded and embedded to help with these needs.
Secondly, I also urge Colorado’s healthcare providers, insurers, and policymakers to seek common ground, equitable funding, and integrated solutions that don’t allow thousands of people to fall between the cracks of our fragmented delivery system.
As our state studies healthcare coverage reform, Colorado has a chance to establish itself as a national leader in healthcare. We should seize that opportunity and invest in our greatest asset - our people. Health, happiness, and productivity are worth the investment.

This letter has not been edited.

READER COMMENTS

AL GORE, AWARDED NOBEL PRIZE

Posted by Hank on October 31, 2007 06:00 PM

Bangalore,

Hank just likes to see his name on the screen. No one expects a thoughtful response and he lived up to his potential.

Posted by Stan B on November 1, 2007 01:43 PM