I posted this elsewhere, but it fits here as its own thread.

This behavior is so widespread and can be so egregious that it should be criminal due to the harm caused. However, it is at least unlawful in terms of civil rights.

Part of the reason they do it is because THEY CONTINUALLY GET AWAY WITH IT. For anyone who can, consider filing a complaint if you think you were discriminated against for having a mental health condition.

Here is information about healthcare discrimination:

1. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHS)

Discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, or religion by entities receiving federal financial assistance from DHS; violation of rights under the federal health care provider conscience protection statutes; or violation of the HIPAA Privacy Rule, HIPAA Security Rule, or the confidentiality provisions of the Patient Safety Rule. File a civil rights complaint with the U.S. DHS, Office for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for Civil Rights Complaint Portal.

File a complaint: https://ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf

Read more information: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/fil...int/index.html

2. The Joint Commission (TJC)

A health care organization or program that TJC accredits or certifies, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, nursing homes, office-based surgery centers, behavioral health treatment facilities, and providers of home care services. Report a patient safety event or concern about a health care organization.

File a complaint: https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx

Read more information: https://www.jointcommission.org/abou...sion_main.aspx

3. State Dept. and/or Attorney General’s Office (each state has its own; this is the state of WA)

A health professional regulated by the Washington State Department of Health, such as: a doctor, doctor’s assistant, nurse, nurse’s assistant, pharmacist, psychologist, mental health counselor, occupational therapist, or a facility or agency licensed by the Department of Health, such as: hospitals, surgery centers, home health or hospice agencies, clinics, labs, psychiatric facilities and state schools for hearing and visually impaired. Where is the Complaint Filed? Washington State Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance Division.

File a complaint: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermi...ComplaintForms

Read more information**: https://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermi...aintProcess#20

**Google healthcare complaint and the name of your state to find out how to report. You may be able to file both a licensing complaint with your state regulator and a civil rights complaint with your state's attorney general's office. The links above are only an example (WA State).

You may also be able to file a complaint with your insurance company.

Here is general information on healthcare discrimination for individuals with (mental health) disabilities:

This problem is prevalent and well known, but there needs to be more research. Here is one article: