ATLANTA — For a woman with many legacies, Rosalynn Carter's advocacy for mental health not only brought the issue to light, but brought the conversation to historic new heights.
"I mean, she's put her name next to this population in a way that creates visibility that otherwise wouldn't exist," said Dr. Jennifer Olsen, CEO of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers.
A famous moment stands out in the former first lady's journey -- when Jimmy Carter was running for governor -- to be a champion for mental health advocacy. She stood in a receiving line to shake hands with her husband When she got to the front of the line, she asked him, "What are you going to do for people with mental illness when you're governor of Georgia?"
His response was to put her in charge of it, with Rosalynn exceeding expectations in the role and embracing frameworks of treating mental health with understanding and empathy that were far ahead of her time.
Across the years she led commissions, testified before the Senate, worked on the Mental Health Parity Act and co-founded The Carter Center, which has a mental health branch. She also created her namesake organization focusing on caregivers.
Many of the services and legislation of present day are because of Rosalynn's relentless fight.
"I think there's just a commitment to whatever cause they have put their name to, for it to move forward. And you as a participant in that, just feel like you've got to keep it going," said Dr. Olsen.
Dementia Diagnosis: Leading by example
She was diagnosed with dementia in May, where she marked a meaningful step in her legacy. Using her own life and diagnosis, she emphasized she was like millions of other Americans who face similar struggles.
As she announced her diagnosis, she broke down stigmas showing those who looked up to her that there's nothing to be ashamed of.
The Alzheimer’s Association in Georgia, pointing out that Alzheimer's is one form of dementia, said that because of Rosalynn Carter’s leadership, there are now resources for patients and their caregivers that didn’t exist when she began her work in the early 1970s.
Her dementia diagnosis gave her an opportunity to get the word out as she’s been doing most of her adult life, according to those who have worked with her through the years. They described her announcement as brave.
Notable work in mental health
Rosalynn Carter became a pioneer in her defining cause to fight for those with mental illness.
Her first role as an advocate was in Georgia – as a member of the Governor’s Commission to Improve Services for the Mentally and Emotionally Handicapped. During her time on that commission, a number of recommendations to improve Georgia’s mental health services became state law.
She would then steer the ship to get several mental health bills with federal funding into action during her time as the first lady.
As chair of the President’s Commission on Mental Health, Rosalynn spearheaded work for a group that, according to Columbia University’s Global Mental Health Programs, was the first presidential commission focused on mental health.
After leaving the White House, the couple founded The Carter Center and Rosalynn made mental health the focus of her efforts through the organization, creating and chairing the center’s Mental Health Task Force and later establishing the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. She would continue to fight for policies in mental health policies after her time in office.