Seamless Health Care

         The phrase "physical and mental health" suggests
         difference and separateness and is an obstacle to
         seamless health care.  

         If the focus needs to be emphasized, "mental
         health and other health" is better phrasing,
         underscores the inclusion of mental health care in
         all health care.  I suggest replacing "physical"
         in every instance and rephrasing every reference. 
         
         Underscoring the difference between physical and
         mental disorders is contrary to the family and
         psychopharmacological position of biological
         basis, which is of course physical.  Insisting on
         the distinction between physical and mental
         contradicts that generally accepted model.  

         Every time the distinction between physical and
         mental health is underscored the rift deepens, the
         seam becomes an open wound.  Start a seamless
         system with attention to language, tone, and
         attitude reflected in all documents from
         Departments of Mental Health, health care
         lobbyists and all other policy makers.