Mental health benefits legislation, particularly comprehensive parity legislation, is recommended based on sufficient evidence of effectiveness in improving financial protection and increasing appropriate utilization of mental health services for people with mental health conditions. There is also evidence that mental health benefits legislation is associated with increased access to care, increased diagnosis of mental health conditions, reduced prevalence of poor mental health, and reduced suicide rates. Evidence from a concurrent economic review indicated that mental health benefits expansion did not lead to any substantial increase in cost to health insurance plans, measured as a percentage of premiums. Mental health benefits legislation involves changing regulations for mental health insurance coverage to improve financial protection (i.e., decrease financial burden) and to increase access to, and use of, mental health services. Such legislation can be enacted at the federal or state level.

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Effect Behavioral Change, Effect Health System Change, Reduce Morbidity, Reduce Mortality, Public Health, Community- & Faith-Based Organizations, Government & Policymakers, Healthcare, Clinical Practice, Environmental & Policy, Primary Prevention, Secondary Prevention, Employers & Employees, Patients