NAMI St. Cloud Area
is grateful to all who participated in our
34th Annual Mental Health Conference
 "Mental Health Recovery:  Beginning Where You Are"


For many years people with serious and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and others, were sent to state hospitals/regional treatment centers where they were warehoused and few recovered.  In the mid 60's, Congress declared that only treatment centers with 16 beds or less would receive federal funding.  It took time but most of the large state hospitals were closed between the 60's and 90's. The goal was to treat patients in the community where they could receive individual treatment in the least restrictive environment.  More and more people recovered which continues today, with the addition of new medications, treatment settings, crisis management and newer treatment modalities, and reduced stigma.