Today's headline is a copy from another blog that is being dismantled.It's news, however is ever fresh.
In today's news, as reported by Medical News Today, Kansas may be the trailblazer to start legislating about mental health is addressed in their state.In their article."Kansas Has Opportunity For National Leadership In Referendum On Mental Illness" people being singles out for the illness and not being allowed to vote, will be legislated out.
"This is more than a symbolic issue. Even though the Kansas legislature has not used the constitutional provision to pass a law to prohibit voting by people with mental illness, the authority to do so hangs as a potential threat over the head of any person who lives with a mental illness. . .
"The current provision represents stigma and discrimination. Stigma discourages people from getting help when they need it. People living with mental illness internalize the fact that such a provision is in the state constitution. It increases the stigma already imposed on them and undermines the opportunity for recovery. . ."
Most people don't realize that such wording is on the books, but the NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) wants it to be known that as long such wording is officially there, even though never used, people with mental illness still that much further from getting equal treatment as any other health related illness.
Although not much will probably come from such a gesture, it might serve to open up debates about mental illness in general: Is it simply another part of the public's health that should concern all and shouldn't it be given as much attention and study as any other disease. In other words, has not the time come from the accumulated barnicles of shame be lifted? One little gleam of light from the Kansas legislature might be the catalyst for other states to examine their own books.
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