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State of Mind: America 2002

Copyright © 1997-2003
Lichtenstein Creative Media.

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Last modified:
April 23, 2003

State of Mind: America 2003:

Rosalynn Carter

Thank you, Dr. Goodwin. Good evening and welcome to The Carter Center, where for the past 20 years, Jimmy and I and our colleagues have been working to improve the lives of people around the world. We have programs in more than 65 countries, and we work on peace and health. Our theme is waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope.

One of our main, important health programs is mental health, and we are very pleased to host this special presentation of The Infinite Mind. I have been active in the mental health field for more than 30 years, and I recognize and appreciate how much this show has done to demystify and destigmatize mental illnesses and to educate the public about mental health issues, which is so important, because through research in recent years, we've learned so much about the brain and about effective treatments for mental illnesses. It's an exciting time in the mental health field. Or should be an exciting time. Unfortunately, policy has not kept up with these medical advances. And now we're facing a crisis where states across our country are cutting mental health budgets, denying much needed services to some of their most vulnerable citizens. Our state of Georgia, for example, is struggling with a budget deficit and looking for ways to save money. Sadly, and I've learned this from experience, care for those with mental illnesses always seems to be one of the first to go.

This is tragic because today mental illnesses can be diagnosed, they can be treated effectively, and the overwhelming majority of people who are affected can lead normal, lives, going to school, working, living at home, being productive citizens in their communities. But quality care is key. Without it, barriers persist, not the least of which is stigma. Stigma is intensified when access to care is denied or ineffective treatments provided.

This scenario is all the more serious when viewed against the backdrop of a recent statement by U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, who said, "Americans must now learn to deal with the risk of another domestic terror attack as well as with the stresses of war. These two combined are the nation's number one mental health threat."

Thank you, panelists, for participating in such an important program. The issues you plan to explore this evening have implications for everyone in America. I know we will all learn a great deal. And I hope everyone who listens will take action to be sure that their representatives know how valuable quality mental health care is to them. Thank you.

The Infinite Mind is supported in part by major underwriting from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the National Institute of Mental Health, and the Nonprofit Finance Fund. Additional underwriting in the form of unrestricted educational grants from Eli Lilly and Company and Bristol-Myers Squibb. Major underwriting for State of Mind: America 2003 was provided in the form of an unrestricted educational grant from Solvay Pharmaceuticals. Additional support was provided by Tom and Edwina Johnson, The J. B. Fuqua Foundation and the Turner Foundation.

The Infinite Mind is non-profit production of Lichtenstein Creative Media, in association with the New York Foundation for the Arts and WNYC/FM.