For the last fifty years, there has been a growing concern over the number of mentally ill and emotionally disturbed children in the United States and an increasing dissatisfaction with the unavailability of mental health services. When the previous Joint Commission on Mental Illness and Health, for unavoidable reasons, was unable to cover this important area, both professional and concerned citizen groups pressed for a study of the mental health needs of children. Members of Congress also responded to the need and, in 1965, Senator Abraham Ribicoff introduced an amendment to the Social Security Amendments of 1965 (P.L. 89-97) which provided the funds and framework for the Commission’s work. Thirteen national professional associations joined the incorporators of the Commission to form a Board of Directors. The Board, with a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, developed a staff and enlisted more than 500 of the country’s leading authorities on early childhood, adolescence, and the young adult to work on Task Forces, substantive Committees, and the collection of specialized information. The collaboration and participation of both affiliate member organizations and specialists at every Governmental agency level provided the Commission with additional and invaluable contributions.
Download Crisis In Child Mental Health-Joint Commission On Mental Health-1969