 
Read below about the Mental Health Bell
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As we get inquiries from the public we will make known responses we can offer on this WEB page. Return often to see updates. Please let us know if you think there is a particular topic we should cover and become part of educating the community.
CLICK HERE for responses to Frequently Asked Questions on the WEB Site of our national organization, MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association).
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The Mental Health America Bell shown above was created in the 1950s. A call was made to all the closing mental asylums to send to our national organization the chains and shackles used then to bind mentally ill patients. Those chains and shackles were melted down and forged into the bell you see above. The inscription on the bell reads
"Cast from shackles which bound them,
this bell shall ring out hope for the mentally ill and victory over mental illness."
Unfortunately, deinstitutionalization of mental health in the past was not coupled with enough growth of community based services. This resulted in terrible, but avoidable, human suffering and financial waste. We now stand to keep the promises made then for the benefit of all who suffer from mental health and substance abuse challenges. In doing so we also teach our leaders and the public how better services will save money in this time of fiscal crisis and serve the public.
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