Carolinas advocates cheer push for mental health insurance parity.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Advocates for people with mental illness celebrated across the Carolinas on Tuesday in response to President Bush's endorsement of wider insurance coverage for treatment of mental problems.

"We are just a little bit dancing up and down," said Liz Jordak, executive director of the Mental Health Association of Mecklenburg County. "It's been a long, uphill battle, and it continues to be."

Many of Bush's business allies have opposed legislative proposals to eliminate disparities between insurance coverage for mental and physical ailments because of potential effects on health-care costs.

But Jordak said experience shows that mental health coverage saves money in the long run.

"If people get the help they need, they're much better employees," she said. "They can keep their jobs …