Proclamation 3179—National Mental Health Week

Whereas mental illness is a major health concern of the Nation, and the care of the mentally ill presents grave problems; and

Whereas preventive and control programs can do much to alleviate mental and emotional disorders through early detection, diagnosis, and treatment; and

Whereas the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare conducts or supports broad programs of mental-health research, training, and community services, including the dissemination of newly gained knowledge and its application; and

Whereas State and local governments are developing extensive mental health activities, including research and training programs; and

Whereas mental health societies and voluntary and professional organizations throughout the country are working to increase public knowledge about mental illness and the best means of combating it; and

Whereas the work of these organizations, and the mental health funds which they are raising through public subscription, deserve the generous support of us all; and

Whereas Senate Joint Resolution 70 of the 85th Congress, 1st Session, approved April 20, 1957, requests the President of the United States to issue a. proclamation designating the week beginning April 28 and ending May 4, 1957, as National Mental Health Week:

Now, Therefore, I, Dwight D. Eisenhower, President of the United States of America, do hereby designate the week beginning Sunday, April 28, 1957, as National Mental Health Week. I urge the people throughout the Nation to cooperate in the fight for the prevention, treatment, and cure of mental illness; and I invite the communities of the United States to observe National Mental Health Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the city of Washington this 20th day of April in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and fifty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and eighty-first.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

By the President:

JOHN FOSTER DULLES,

Secretary of State