The moment has come to reframe mental health as a basic right that must be realized in the context of human dignity. The Destination Dignity March, a collective effort of thousands affected by mental health conditions, is a crucial step in this direction for a healthier America.
On any given day, more than 60 million Americans, up to 1 in 5, are living with mental health and substance use conditions. Although these issues can be disabling, with the right support and services people go on to live meaningful lives. As parents, employees, leaders, families and professionals these people contribute to their communities at every level.
Despite this, Americans with mental health conditions remain the only group of people who it is considered acceptable to ridicule, dismiss and discriminate against. A legacy of prejudice and serious injustices in how our nation addresses mental health remain barriers to recovery, fostering despair, isolation, and the death by suicide of over 40,000 Americans annually. Especially for people with the greatest needs, stigma and discrimination continue to work against the hope, respect and community support that are essential to mental health.
This must change! It is time to step out of the collective closet and stand against stigma that has kept people silent, ill and alone. It is time for all those affected by mental health conditions to claim dignity, and to show strength and solidarity for change across America.
Together with our supporters
WE DEMAND DIGNITY. WE DEMAND CHANGE.
In a unified voice with supporters, providers, family and friends, people living with mental health conditions will call for an end to unconscionable levels of unemployment, incarceration, homelessness and disability. An end to underfunding of services, harsh practices and fail-first systems in which involuntary status is requirement for care. An end to negative portrayals and scapegoating. An end to a society in which people with mental health conditions die up to twenty-five years before the rest of the population. A beginning to a new era in which every one faced with mental health challenges is supported to get the right kind of help when needed, and valued in their communities nationwide.
For More Information Visit: http://www.destinationdignity.org/