Hillary Rodham Clinton and Steven Hyman

In the following viewpoint, excerpted from their remarks at the White House Conference on Mental Health, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Steven Hyman, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, assert that mental illnesses are real and treatable diseases. According to the authors, scientists have proven that illnesses such as schizophrenia are illnesses of the brain. Consequently, they argue, mental illnesses should be treated similarly to general medical disorders, with medication and behavioral treatment.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What does Clinton believe is America’s obligation regarding mental illness?
2. Which illnesses has science discovered to be genetic disorders, according to Hyman?
3. In addition to medication, what does Hyman also say works on the brain"

Hillary Clinton: This is an historic conference, but it is more than...