Organizations Press for Reimbursement of Gulf Mental Health Claims

Mental health organizations have reacted strongly to recent statements by BP claims administrator Kenneth Feinberg that reimbursement of stress-related claims caused by the oil spill is improbable. In fact, Feinberg, who is directing the BP Oil Spill Victim Compensation Fund, has said none of the $20 billion in escrow to pay all eligible claims that are submitted to the Claims Facility will be distributed to mental health needs. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is the latest group to join the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, and other prominent organizations to urge BP to reconsider. In a statement released by APA President Carol A. Bernstein, “Mental illnesses brought on by difficult situations surrounding the BP oil spill may be less visible than other injuries, but they are real…An entire way of life has been destroyed."

Details available at:APA Press Release, August 13, 2010Related content:Obama, the Oil Spill, and the Magic of Righteous AngerGulf of Mexico Disaster Spills Over Into the Psyche