inseparable

If mental health care access matters to you, this ProPublica story is essential reading. It lays bare the tragic consequences of ghost networks and the overwhelming control insurers have over mental health care, leaving those in pain to pay the highest price. "Ravi Coutinho bought a health insurance plan thinking it would deliver on its promise of access to mental health providers. But even after 21 phone calls and multiple hospitalizations, no one could find him a therapist."

“As someone who has watched insurers’ blatant disregard for federal parity regulations for years, I am thrilled to see this rule finalized. It is a critical step to holding insurance companies accountable and ending discriminatory denials of care,” Chief Policy Officer David Lloyd for the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable said in a statement. This win is the result of relentless advocacy from countless partner organizations and allies who have fought side by side to demand real accountability from insurers. Together, we’ve pushed for a future where mental health care is treated as essential, not optional. This is a major step toward ending discriminatory practices and making sure every American gets the care they deserve.

This #NationialSuicidePreventionWeek, we’re calling attention to the profound impact of crisis response—one of the most powerful ways to prevent suicide. In our most vulnerable moments, having a lifeline—someone to call, someone to respond, and a safe place to go—can be the difference between recovery and tragedy. It's time everyone had access.

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is making a historic move by finalizing parity rules that ensure mental health care is covered the same as physical health care. Our Chief Policy Officer, David Lloyd, is on the ground to witness this landmark announcement up close—an announcement that will make a big difference for millions of Americans, ensuring they receive the mental health care they need and deserve.

September 8th marks the first-ever 988 Day! This annual event raises awareness about the #988Lifeline and emphasizes the critical importance of #mentalhealth support. By calling or texting 988, or visiting 988lifeline.org, anyone in crisis can connect with compassionate care. Having the right response at the right time can be lifesaving! Here's some #988Lifeline facts to know: ⚫ The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has answered over 10 million calls, texts, and chats since its launch. ⚫ Nearly 1.2 million calls were answered by the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) through 988’s Press 1 option. ⚫ 988 answered 1.7 million texts, a 51% increase from the previous year. ⚫ Specialized services since last year: ○ 20,000 Spanish-language chats and texts; 90,000 Spanish calls. ○ 475,000 LGBTQI+ youth and young adult contacts. ○ 20,000 ASL videophone contacts. ⚫ HHS has invested nearly $1.5 billion in 988, including funding from the American Rescue Plan and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Kudos to the Governor of NY for her sustained focus on mental health with meaningful action! The governor’s plan addresses many pressing needs: restoring inpatient psychiatric beds, expanding outpatient behavioral health clinics, establishing mental health centers in every school in the state, and creating 3,500 housing units—real, impactful change that mental health advocates have long awaited.

We love celebrating mental health wins, especially when they're for our youth. This past weekend, Alaska took a big step forward as HB344 became law, unlocking federal funds to support mental health and other services for kids across the state—a lifeline for students who’ve been without. Our schools are only as strong as the mental health support they provide, and now, Alaska will have more resources to support students, thanks to Sen. Cathy Giessel , the Alaska Department of Health and other leaders in the state.

“Many people assume that, if your mental health provider believes that you need a certain type or length of treatment, that they are the expert and they should have the final say.” Unfortunately, far too often, that is not the case.

Acadia Healthcare is holding people against their will to maximize insurance payouts. “Some patients arrived at emergency rooms seeking routine mental health care, only to find themselves sent to Acadia facilities and locked in.” These shocking practices, highlighted in the The New York Times article, underscore the urgent need to hold insurance companies accountable for prioritizing profits over patient care—practices that continually block access to quality mental health services.

The surgeon general is issuing an advisory to call attention to the stress and mental health concerns facing parents and caregivers and to lay out what we can do to address them. “The stress and mental health challenges faced by parents aren’t always visible, but they can take a steep toll. Parents who feel pushed to the brink deserve more than platitudes. They need tangible support.” The youth mental health crisis extends beyond individual families—it is a national emergency that affects us all. Its ripple effects reach into families, communities, and our collective future. We must come together to address this crisis, ensuring parents have the support they need to care for themselves and their children.