Celebrating Mental Health Parity! Mental Health Parity Bill Passes Through Legislation: This Has Been a Historically Momentous Year for Mental Health Coverage As the Legislature Achieved Passage of a Landmark Law to Bring Mental Health Parity Protection to More Than 100 Million Americans Covered by Group Health Insurance (Interview‪)‬

Simply put, parity means equality. For many years, therapists and other mental health professionals have lobbied to place mental health coverage on a level playing field with physical health coverage. Although there are obvious differences between life-threatening physical illnesses such as cancer and mental illness, it has been proven time and time again that mental illness and addictions can be just as damaging. The American Psychotherapy Association recently conducted an interview with our Washington D.C. Liaison and member Linda Whitten Stalters, who lobbied for mental health parity. 1. This is an enormous milestone for the mental health field. What does this legislation mean for Americans?