It’s said mental illness will strike one in five Iowa families this year. A rally is planned at the state capitol today that aims to put more emphasis on the rights of people with mental illnesses. Rally organizer Ardia Johnson is regional director of the Iowa chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. She says the rally is designed to get Iowans with mental illnesses, as well as their families and friends, to register to vote — and then vote — and question candidates about their stances.Johnson says insurance discrimination against people with mental illnesses in Iowa has been allowed to continue for years.Johnson says the presidential candidates have all been invited to attend the rally, but she’s unsure how many, if any, will attend. Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson is among the scheduled speakers. The event is slated for two p-m on the west side of the capitol.
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