The Mental Health Needs of People with Disabilities Fall Victim to the Money Game, by Jason Hahr

Mental health is as important as physical health, but the way we treat people’s mental health needs in the United States, you wouldn’t think that we value mental health. A disturbing study that came out last summer in the Journal of JAMA highlights the poor standing of mental health in our society. The study focused on people who are on Medicaid, i.e., low-income or those with disabilities. While the study found that there were clinicians who “accepted” Medicaid, it found that in the five cities studied, only 15% of providers who were accepting Medicaid were available for appointments. This is not only sad but ridiculous. I am going to open up for a minute and let my readers know that I take advantage of psychiatric and counseling services. I think everyone should do so, especially with all the garbage that life, the universe, and other humans throw at us. I have been using psychiatric services since the age of 18. Let’s just say I wasn’t always as okay with my disability or other as...