A plea for the improvement of mental health services for children is presented in this paper, which claims that children's needs in general are not adequately recognized. Quoting from a report of the Joint Commission on Mental Health of Children, the paper cites growing concern over the number of mentally ill and emotionally disturbed children in the United States and increasing dissatisfaction with availability of mental health services. The history of adult treatment of children in the United States is reviewed, noting the establishment of pediatric medicine in the latter 19th century. It was not until the 1950's, however, that children's mental health began to emerge as an area of significant concern. Attitudes of the education, psychology and medical professions towards children are reviewed, and political and economic factors discussed. The establishment and growth of the Society of Pediatric Psychology is described, and a plea made for the establishment in the American Psychological Association of a division dealing specifically with children. (BF)