NAMI CA Position on Access to Treatment
NAMI California believes that individuals with mental illnesses must have timely access to treatments that have been recognized as effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
We are adamant that individuals with mental illness have timely access to clinically appropriate medications, evidence-based services, and treatment, including psychotherapy, that are provided in a person-centered approach.
We strongly oppose measures that are intended to limit or actually do limit, the availability and right of individuals with mental illnesses to receive treatment with the most individually appropriate, effective, and clinically indicated medications.
No one currently taking a medication and doing well on that medication should be switched to another medication, even the generic version of the original, simply because the second medication is cheaper.
Psychotherapy should be a part of the treatment regime for individuals with mental illness when the treatment team, including the consumer, determines that this is an appropriate option.
The individual with mental illness should have the right to engage their preferred provider or change providers as meets their needs.