THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUICIDOLOGY APPLAUDS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR IMPLEMENTING NEW RULE ENSURING MENTAL HEALTH PARITY IN INSURANCE COVERAGE 

July 27, 2023 | Washington, DC – President Joe Biden announced a new landmark rule to strengthen mental and physical health parity requirements and improve mental health care access for more than 150 million Americans. The proposed rule would reinforce 2008’s Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) by requiring insurance providers to update health plans “to make sure people have equivalent access between their mental health and medical benefits,” according to an administration fact sheet.  

“President Biden said it best, ‘Mental health care is health care’,” said AAS President & Chief Executive Officer Leeann Sherman, MPS, CAE. “This new rule will allow people across the country to receive better mental health care that will hopefully reduce the number of deaths by suicide in the United States.”  

President Biden said the changes “represent a real step forward to help millions of people get the mental health care they need, and that insurance should be providing.” He also added, “You know, we can all agree, mental health care is health care. It is health care, it’s essential to people’s well-being and their ability to lead a full and productive life, to find joy, to find purpose, to take care of themselves and their loved ones. It’s about dignity.” 

About American Association of Suicidology 

The American Association of Suicidology is the world’s largest and nation’s oldest membership-based suicide prevention organization. Founded in 1968 by Edwin S. Shneidman, PhD, AAS promotes the research of suicide and its prevention, public awareness programs, public education and training for professionals and volunteers. The membership of AAS includes mental health and public health professionals, researchers, suicide prevention and crisis intervention centers, school districts, crisis center professionals, survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, and a variety of laypersons who have an interest in suicide prevention. Learn more about AAS at www.suicidology.org. 

Responsible reporting on suicide, including stories of hope and resilience, can prevent more suicides and open the door for help for those in need. Visit the Media as Partners in Suicide Prevention: Suicide Reporting Recommendations for more details. For additional information, visit SuicideReportingToolkit.com and Stanford University’s Media and Mental Health Initiative. For crisis services anywhere in the world, please visit FindAHelpline.org and in the continental United States chat, text or call 988.