Federal Government spearheads the SAMHSA's Wellness Campaign
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) highlights its 10x10 Wellness Campaign, launched in 2010, to promote the importance of addressing all parts of a person's life in hopes of increasing life expectancy for persons with mental health problems by 10 years over the next 10 years. More than 2,000 organizations and individuals have expressed their commitment to promoting wellness and reducing the disproportionate impact of preventable morbidity and mortality on people with mental health problems by signing the Pledge for Wellness, and the Campaign is guided by a multidisciplinary Steering Committee representing consumers, providers, and researchers.
The early mortality rates of people with mental health problems—with decades of life lost—have recently received much-needed attention. This disparity in life expectancy is unacceptable. People with serious mental health problems deserve to live long and healthy lives like other Americans. As the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Medical Director’s Council recently reported, the “increased morbidity and mortality are largely due to treatable medical conditions caused by modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, obesity, substance abuse, and inadequate access to medical care.”
Please show your support. Join the signers of the Pledge for Wellness now!