Despite the seriousness of the problem the federal government and state mental health programs have not yet adequately addressed it to this day.

This is due to the lack of pressure being brought to bear on elected officials and mental health program planners and state mental health bureaucracies to address this issue.

Typically, advocates for aging services have chosen to focus their attention on other issues, leaving it up to mental health advocates to address mental health concerns.

At the same time, mental health advocates continue to place their full attention on delivery of services to the much younger adult population.

That leaves the older persons with mental health needs with the necessity of addressing this issue directly by forming into an effective national advocacy and education organization.

This is why OACMHA has been organized and why it is important that you join us in accomplishing our mission.