As we hardly have to tell you, Depression is, through suicide, the seventh greatest cause of death in this country; it's third greatest among adolescents and young adults; it breaks up families, ends careers and costs U.S. businesses an estimated forty-four billion dollars per year. Yet, even at the current level of knowledge, we know enough to end almost all of this suffering.

While, to a great extent as a result of NAFDI's unremitting media campaign over the years, public awareness of depression and manic depression have increased dramatically, it is still the very unhappy fact that less than half of those afflicted with clinical depression are aware that they are suffering from this deadly disease.  An even smaller number, even though aware of their illness, seek treatment.  Many of those who really need treatment are afraid to seek it for fear of the stigma that surrounds these so-called mental illnesses.  They are afraid they'll lose their jobs and/or the respect of those about whom they care most in life.  These people, because of this terrible stigma, are chancing their very lives on their ability to beat Depression on their own.  Not fair!

Others can't seek treatment because the insurance deck is stacked against them.  The so-called physical illnesses generally have very low co-pays and virtually unlimited caps, but the so-called mental illnesses usually, when they're covered at all, have fifty percent copays and annual caps in the neighborhood of $2,500.  One has either got to be very well off or relatively poor (See accompanying article on Indigent Programs) to get the help one needs to overcome depression or manic depression.

While it's an oversimplification, Parkinson's Disease, caused by too little dopamine in the brain, is classified as a physical illness.  It's not stigmatized and it carries full insurance coverage.  Then there's Schizophrenia with too much dopamine.  Now that's classified as a mental illness, is highly stigmatized and, with some exceptions, you're pretty much on your own when it comes to paying for its treatment.  Not fair!

So, Why NAFDI Now?  NAFDI is on the front lines every day, working with the media, keeping their attention focused.  We work with industry and legislatures trying to get them to provide or require appropriate care and insurance coverage with no arbitrary distinctions drawn between the so-called mental illnesses and the so-called physical illnesses.  It's a fight well worth fighting.  We're making good progress, but the battle is far from over.  Stick with us!