Healthwise Delves into the State of Mental Health
Thursday, November 17, at 8 PM

On a new Healthwise scheduled this month, UNC-TV explores the status of North Carolina's mental health system and some of the reasons why those with mental illness are among the least likely to seek help.

According to a 2005 report from the DHHS State Health Plan, approximately 5.4 percent of the adult population in North Carolina has a diagnosable mental health disorder. Some of the more commonly known mental health disorders include Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anger management, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

A panel of experts discusses how mental health in North Carolina compares to the state's overall health on Healthwise: Mental Health, Thursday, November 17 at 8 PM. Included in the discussion will be the state's efforts to reform the mental health system in North Carolina, teenage suicide, discrimination against people with mental illness, misconceptions of the mentally ill, and drugs created for mental health disorders.

On April 29, 2002, President George W. Bush identified three obstacles preventing Americans with mental illnesses from getting the excellent care they deserve: stigma that surrounds mental illnesses; unfair treatment limitations and financial requirements placed on mental health benefits in private health insurance, and the fragmented mental health service delivery system. The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Healthhasidentified several goals that will build a foundation for transforming mental health care in America. The first goal they cited was for Americans to understand that mental health is essential to overall health.

The panel includes Mike Moseley, division director with the Division of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Disabilities; John Owen, PAIMI Committee to Governor's Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities; John Tote, executive director of the Mental Health Association in NC; Michael Watson, director of Sandhills Mental Health; Dr. Robert N. Golden, chair of psychiatry at UNC-Chapel Hill; and Sheila Singleton, NC Depression and Bi-Polar Support Alliance.

UNC-TV is North Carolina's only statewide broadcasting system, made possible through a unique partnership of public investment and private support. UNC-TV's commitment to producing and broadcasting local and national programs about our state resources make it one of the state's most important sources of information. For more information about UNC-TV and its programs, please visit www.unctv.org.

-UNC-TV-