Hillary Clinton unveils plan to reform US mental health system

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton unveiled a plan to address mental health problems and provide better access to treatment for people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or suicidal tendencies.

With her proposal unveiled on Monday, the former Secretary of State aims to change the US mental health system which currently makes expensive treatment inaccessible to millions of people, according to officials.

Only a third of the 44 million people in the US with mental health disorders receive care, EFE news reported citing figures from the American Psychological Association.

Clinton reiterated her commitment to improving the quality of care by placing mental health on the same level as physical health care.

Along those lines, her plan highlights establishing a national initiative for suicide prevention and increasing funds for brain and behavioural science research.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reports that suicide is one of the leading causes of death among young adults.

In fact, the US national suicide rate rose by 24 per cent between 1999 and 2014, regardless of age.

Congressional Republicans have pressed for reform of the US mental health system and Clinton's proposal seems designed to reach out to conservatives.