The journal was established in September 1971 under the editorship of Dana Farnsworth and Howard P. Rome.[1][2] It was published by Insight Communications[3] In 1975, Francis Braceland became co-editor.[2] In 1977 the journal published a collection of articles in book format, titled Psychiatrists and the legal process : diagnosis and debate. The articles had previously been published in the journal in the period 1973–1977.[4] Nancy Arnold Roeske became editor in the early 1980s, when Farnsworth and Braceland stepped down.[2]
In 1980 the publication was acquired by Charles B. Slack (later shortened to just Slack).[5] Roeske continued as editor until her death in 1986. In the wake of this circumstance Howard Rome assumed the main editorial responsibility.[2] In 1988 the journal focused on problems of adolescent medical care in its December issue.[6]
In 1992 the journal welcomed Jan Fawcett to the editorial board. Fawcett took on responsibilities as co-editor alongside Howard Rome,[2] and stayed on as editor of the journal until 2018.[7]
In April 2018 SLACK Incorporated announced that it was introducing a new format and a new editor, Andrew A. Nierenberg, to the journal. New features included a mix of peer-reviewed articles, original research, and case reports; peer-tested content; updated printing design; and a new editorial board.[7]
^"Mental Health Digest". U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; National Institutes of Health; National Institute of Mental Health. 1971: 63. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
^Bonnie, R.J., ed. (1977). Psychiatrists and the Legal Process: Diagnosis and Debate: A Collection of Articles Published in Psychiatric Annals, 1973-77. New York: Psychiatric Annals. OCLC4005626.
^Roash, Richard N. (1992-12-01). "A Tribute to Howard P. Rome, MD". Psychiatric Annals. 22 (12): 592–593. doi:10.3928/0048-5713-19921201-03.
^Brody, J.E. Health; Trip Across Adolescence Is Just as Risky as Ever. New York Times, March 3, 1988
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