Join Us in Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Community Mental Health Act

Join Us in Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of the Community Mental Health Act

Mental Health America is joining this week in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's signing of the Community Mental Health Act. This landmark bill changed the course of mental health policy by promoting community-based services over institutionalization. Mental Health America played a key role in having this legislation enacted.

President Kennedy's historic call to action in 1963 that led to the law was based on a belief that all Americans – including those with mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and addictions – have the right to lead dignified lives and to share in the beliefs of our society.

In recognition of the 50th Anniversary, Mental Health America is participating on Wednesday and Thursday (October 23-24) in The Kennedy Forum on Community Mental Health, which will honor President Kennedy's vision, celebrate progress, and set a course to advocate for future breakthroughs in the policies affecting those with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and addictions.

A Live National Webcast will allow you to view the keynote speaker program. For information on the webcast, go to http://thekennedyforum.org/get-the-facts.

Join us in recognizing this important anniversary and help us set a course for future progress on mental health policy. Use this link to answer two questions:

1) What is the most important achievement in mental health over the last 50 years?

2) What is (are) the most important area(s) that must be improved?

You can follow The Kennedy Forum on twitter at @kennedyforum and view photos from that time on our Pinterest page.