NHS Hosts Patriots for Parity in Philadelphia
Almost 100 attendees welcomed the Honorable Patrick Kennedy, former Congressman from Rhode Island, as the keynote speaker at Patriots for Parity, on October 1, 2013 in the Philadelphia City Hall Council Chambers. Special guest panelists addressed the problems individuals with mental health and addictions issues have accessing professional care in their local communities throughout Pennsylvania. Panelists focused on the routine problems that individuals face as they try to secure professional care and services in their local communities as well as strategies and solutions.Access to mental health and addictions services is one of the most important and most neglected civil rights issues facing the nation, said Kennedy. For too long, persons living with mental disorders and addictions have suffered from discriminatory policies and practices at all levels of society.
Panelists focused on the routine problems that individuals face as they try to secure professional care and services in their local communities as well as strategies and solutions. Consumers, consumer advocates, community representatives, mental health and addictions professionals, and representatives from the business and insurer communities also provided input and experiences. This event gave a voice to individuals experiencing problems receiving much needed care.
Pictured from left to right:
- Ms. Lynn Katz, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association
- Dr. Richard Edley, President and CEO of the Rehabilitation and Community Providers Association
- Honorable Patrick Kennedy, former Congressman from Rhode Island
- Honorable M. Joseph Rocks, Chairman and CEO of NHS Human Services
- Dr. Arthur Evans, Commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services
- Ms. Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council for Behavioral Health