Parity is here….Finally! Lost among all the terrible financial news was a piece fantastic legislation that will help over 113 million people. President Bush signed a mental health parity law that was included in the economic bailout bill which passed on Friday. This bill was the result of 12 years of passionate advocacy to get equal insurance benefits for mental health conditions. Previously most employers and group health plans provided less coverage for mental health care than treatment for physical conditions. Now more than one third of all Americans will receive significantly better mental health insurance for the first time. The enormous and far-reaching benefits of mental health counseling and treatment could no longer be denied and now millions of Americans will benefit.