One of the most significant health achievements during my Administration
was the recent passage of the Mental Health Systems Act, which grew out of
recommendations of my Commission on Mental Health. I join many others in my
gratitude to the First Lady for her tireless and effective contribution to
the passage of this important legislation.
The Act is designed to inaugurate a new era of Federal and State
partnership in the planning and provision of mental health services. In
addition, the Act specifically provides for prevention and support services
to the chronically mentally ill to prevent unnecessary institutionalization
and for the development of community-based mental health services. I urge
the new Congress to provide adequate support for the full and timely
implementation of this Act.