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    First Lady Rosalynn Carter's legacy on mental health boils down to one word: Hope

    The former first lady fought with persistence to put care for mental and physical health on equal footing and to eliminate discrimination toward people with mental illnesses.
    by Christine Herman Nov 24, 2023 4 minutes
    Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter attends a rally at the US Capitol in March 2008 when she helped get the mental health parity law enacted. Carter died on Nov. 19 at age 96.

    Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter championed many causes during her lifetime. But she held a special place in her heart for mental health.

    Carter, who died on Sunday at age 96, used her platform to sound the alarm about the inadequacies of the nation's mental health system.

    "She was in it way before anyone else, and she really used her position as first lady to advance the whole cause of those with mental illness," says former Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island).

    Rosalynn Carter's interest in mental health dated back to her husband's run for governor of Georgia. On the campaign trail, family members of people with mental illnesswould tell her in hushed tones how difficult things were. Half a century ago, people were ashamed to talk about mental illness, but Carter did not shy away.

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