Message from Marylou Sudders
Former Commissioner of Department of Mental Health

Millions of Americans suffer some form of mental illness. In Massachusetts, about 700,000 people, their families and loved ones are suffering the consequences not only of the disease, but also the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Medical research has made remarkable progress in identifying genetic and other contributing causes of mental illness, and in developing treatments. Today, with appropriate medications and psychotherapy, people with mental illness are able to work, play, raise and care for their children, and participate fully in all that life offers. Yet the stigma remains, causing many others to isolate themselves, not to seek treatment or even the calming support of a friend.

Throughout the fabric of our society, we see the stigma manifest itself in a variety of ways. Neighborhoods organizing themselves to fight group residences, persistent misuse of the term schizophrenic in both national and local media, continuation of a public which allows health insurance policies to treat mental illness in a manner far different from other medical illnesses, and a pervasive societal attitude that seems to suggest that mental illness represents or results from a character flaw.

Fortunately, there are men and women who are prepared to fight the stigma through education, their own personal stories. CBS Newsman Mike Wallace speaks of his own struggles with depression and the effectiveness of treatment. Mrs. Tipper Gore lent the use of her prestige, high office and credibility to help us launch Changing Minds. State legislators have agreed to serve on the task force, and have worked with us to development educational forums to help them and their staffs to better understand mental illness. And, in a more quiet, but no less effective way, every day men and women with mental illness go to work, raise their families, participate in community projects and by their example help others to understand that mental illness is a disease, that it can be treated, and that its victims deserve our support, understanding and respect.

I am grateful to my good friends Charlie Baker and Danna Mauch for agreeing to chair the Changing Minds Task Force, and to my colleague, Commissioner Linda Carlisle of the Department of Social Services for her willingness to add another commitment to her impossible schedule. My thanks, as well, to all who have given us their time and energies by agreeing to serve as members. I owe a debt of gratitude to the many state legislators, on both sides of the political aisle, who have stood with us to help change public attitudes and policies about mental illness.

A special thanks to Eli Lilly and Company whose generous grant provided the impetus and important seed money to begin the Changing Minds Campaign. My thanks to all of you.

I look forward to continuing our work and our progress on behalf of all people with mental illness and their families.

Marylou Sudders