Award for Mass. Health Center Will Aid PBH Hospital Committee

The National Institute of Mental Health has granted $83,000 to the Massachusetts Health Center for use in connection with the activities of the Phillips Brooks House Mental Hospital Committee, Carter C. Umbarger '59, a former chairman of the committee, announced yesterday.

Extended over a three-year period, the grant will be used to finance a professional director of volunteers, two or three group leaders, an occupational therapist and a full-time secretary.

"A group of interested Boston professionals at the Health Center applied for the grant in order to direct and study the effects of a college volunteer program at a mental hospital," Umbarger explained.

"This grant represents an attempt on the part of the National Institute to explore every opportunity for aiding the mentally ill," Umbarger said. "Present means have not been entirely effective."

Richard E. Rubenstein '59, president of PBH, emphasized that the grant given to the Massachusetts Health Center "has no bearing on PBH's need for financial support through the present Combined Charities Drive. Our regular budget has not been affected."