Threats to Mental Health - New York Times

To the Editor:

Richard A. Friedman, in “Mentally Ill Without Obamacare” (Op-Ed, Dec. 12), correctly focuses on the necessity of preserving medical coverage for psychiatric disorders.

We cannot be silent about another threat to the emotional health of people. In addition to biological factors, psychological and environmental factors contribute to mental illness. The hatred, racism and sexism stoked in this election worsen mental illness and must not be ignored.

JEFFREY B. FREEDMAN

New York

The writer, a psychiatrist, is a former president of the New York County branch of the American Psychiatric Association.

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