Carter Center Carter Health Programs Human Rights Initiatives Newsletter Carter's China Visit
Rosalynn Carter was awarded the Surgeon General's Medallion, the only honor presented to
a civilian by the Surgeon General.
Back in 1971 when Rosalynn Carter began working on mental health care issues, few people even spoke the words "mental health."
"Mental health" meant only mental illness, and mental illness was shrouded in such shame and stigma that many people neglected the issue.
Today, much has changed. A family consumer movement started in the early 1980s; research has given us tremendous knowledge about the brain and new medications; and mental health services have improved significantly.
Yet, much remains to be done. People with mental illnesses still face great stigma and discrimination. The importance of mental health promotion is under recognized, and insurance providers often do not provide parity for mental health treatment.
In the United States alone, mental illness is the second leading cause of disability, and mental disorders affect one in five Americans, according to the first-ever Surgeon General's report on mental health, released in December 1999.
Mrs. Carter continues her advocacy efforts into the Carter Center's Mental Health Program, founded in 1991.
Through its development of mental health initiatives:
Promotes awareness
Initiates educational meetings and symposia, and
Addresses public policy issues.
The Program pursues its goals on state, national, and international levels. The Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum, established in 1995, is held every May for state mental health organizations. The Forum has addressed such topics as "Children's Mental Health: Generating Hope through Shared Responsibility," "Improving Access for Georgians," and "Within Community: New Directions in the Effort to Improve Services."
Mrs. Carter's desire to coordinate the efforts of national mental health leaders and organizations led to her initiating the annual
Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy in 1985.
The success of the Symposia led to the formation of Mental Health Program in 1991. The Symposia, held every November, have examined such issues as assuring quality in mental health care, mental health and illness in the workplace, privacy and confidentiality of patient information, and promoting healthy behaviors in children.
To guide the symposia and other Mental Health Program activities, Mrs. Carter established the Mental Health Task Force in 1991. The Task Force, funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, identifies major issues in the field, convenes meetings, and develops initiatives to reduce stigma and discrimination. Retired Task Force members who wish to remain active in the Mental Health Program's activities are invited to join the National Advisory Council.
In addition to the annual symposium, the Mental Health Program also hosts public outreach programs as part of the Center's annual Conversation series. Topics have included "Coping with the Stigma of Mental Illness," featuring author Kathy Cronkite and actor Rod Steiger sharing their personal experiences with clinical depression, "Breaking Through the Stigma: Portrayal of Mental Illness in the Media," and "Violence Against Children."
At the international level, the Inaugural World Conference for the Promotion of Mental Health and Prevention of Mental and Behavioral Disorders was held at The Carter Center in December 2000. The second world conference is planned for London in 2002. Also, Mrs. Carter chairs the World Federation for Mental Health's International Committee of Women Leaders for Mental Health since its establishment in 1992.
In addition to working with mental health professionals, the Program awards six fellowships every year to U.S. journalists writing or producing works on mental health issues.
Reporters often are the best communicators to the general public, and the works resulting from The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism can greatly reduce stigma and better inform people about pressing issues.
Beginning with the 2001-2002 class of fellows, two international fellows will be included for the first time, and they will be from New Zealand.
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