have them in Baltimore City sharing the same quarters. These clinics
have become crowded. Next year's budget will permit Crownsville to
open a separate clinic in the area for people who are hospitalized there.
In fact, I understand that the contract for this space has just been signed.
For the retarded in our hospitals we are developing more programs to
meet their particular needs. For example on July 1, Henry ton State
Hospital will officially become a part of the mental hygiene family.
Already it has 120 severely retarded ambulatory adults who are in a
specialized training program. These patients are learning to make their
own beds, to care for their own clothes and appearance, to care for their
own rooms. In the dining room they are learning the proper way to eat.
The aim is to make it possible for many of these people to return to
their homes—several already have. Others will be better able to par-
ticipate effectively in specialized institutions. The day care centers are
making it possible for more children to remain at home. Next year will
see plans for a residential center in the Montgomery-Prince George's
area set in motion.
Yes, in Maryland we are using modern medical techniques as well as
the other rehabilitative activities that return the mentally ill to health
and a constructive place in society. We do not expect to stand still. With
the recent decision of the Board of Health and Mental Hygiene to place
planning and supervision of all mental health programs under the Com-
missioner of Mental Hygiene, we expect even closer cooperation between
the two departments and the expansion of present programs with greater
emphasis on treatment in the community.
In this new building we see exemplified the best facility for this par-
ticular kind of patient. We know that the care that will be given will be
equally good. We regret that many of these patients will not have the
opportunity to return to their communities. However we have the satis-
faction of knowing that they will be receiving the finest of care. And we
will continue developing other resources and programs for our patients.
Unfortunately, we still do not have treatment which will help every-
body. Statistics published by the National Association for Mental
Health indicate that three out of ten cannot be helped today. We do not
yet know the causes of many mental illnesses. Each day research is
discovering new facts. The time will come when we will know most, if
not all, the answers. In the meantime, we do the best we can. This
infirmary is one example. We look forward to the time when we can
have more programs for our older citizens that will keep them from
becoming institutionalized.
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