WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama said Monday he wants to end the stigma of mental illness and enrolled the star power of actors Bradley Cooper and Glenn Close at a White House conference organized in response to the December shootings at a Connecticut elementary school.
The event was designed to encourage those struggling with mental illness to seek treatment, although some attendees noted that the government needs to provide more resources to meet that goal.
Despite its origins, there was a notable lack of discussion of gun violence at the conference. The president never mentioned the matter as he opened the gathering from the East Room, instead stressing that he wants to make it clear that the majority of the mentally ill are not violent. He said his main goal in hosting the conference is “bringing mental illness out of the shadows” and encouraging those suffering to get help, particularly veterans and young people.
“We whisper about mental health issues and avoid asking too many questions,” the president said. “The brain is a body part, too. We just know less about it. “
The conference comes after Obama’s effort to pass gun-control legislation, including more background checks for purchases and a ban on assault-style rifle sales, failed in the Senate. The need to improve the country’s mental health care system is something all sides of the gun debate, including the National Rifle Association, have advocated.
