As early as the late 1800s, Anabaptists in the United States began developing health and human service organizations such as nursing homes, mental health centers, hospitals and agencies serving youth and those with developmental disabilities. In some cases, these ministries were initiated locally by individuals, congregations and other groups, while others were initiated regionally or nationally by conferences and mission and service agencies. The existence of a network of organizations can be traced to the 1940s when Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) began a mental health program and eventually established five mental health organizations under the oversight of Mennonite Mental Health Services.
In the 1980s, Mennonite Mental Health Services was separated from MCC and expanded to include any health and human service providers affiliated with Anabaptist denominations. A later refocusing of our mission resulted in the name Mennonite Health Services (MHS) Alliance. Today, MHS Alliance has more than 70 member organizations and maintains strong church connections through covenant relationships with Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Brethren, and Brethren in Christ.
During World War II, conscientious objectors assigned to work in state mental hospitals were shocked by conditions there. “On May 6, 1946, Life magazine published a lengthy exposé, based largely on CPS reports, on the conditions in U.S. mental hospitals. This article generated a public outcry that eventually captured the attention of former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt and led to the creation of the National Mental Health Foundation.”
From A Quick Guide to Anabaptist Values by Emerson L. Lesher and John D. Roth