Excerpt from JFK’s “Special Message on Mental Illness and Mental Retardation” https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKPOF/052/JFKPOF-052-012
Excerpt from JFK’s “Special Message on Mental Illness and Mental Retardation” https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKPOF/052/JFKPOF-052-012
President Kennedy’s Special Message on Mental Illness And Mental Retardation was given in the White House discussing new legislation for individuals with disabilities in the US. The speech lays out his plan to expand mental health programs and legislation. His focus was to expand on mental health facilities, improve mental institutions, and give more funding towards research in this field. The excerpts taken from him speech lay out his exact goals for the country over the next decade or so. President Kennedy’s recognition of the neglect and mistreatment of individuals with disabilities was progressive and important for the time. Kennedy’s concluding statement is a plea for Congress to listen and vote in favor of his recommended legislation and improvements to the system of care for individuals with disabilities. While many of JFK’s points in his speech may be seen as problematic, such as his belief that one can be cured from disability with lifestyle change, it is still a good shift in mentality and good recognition of wrongdoings.