The Mental Hygiene Movement in Connecticut

By Gwyn Gutheil

The newspaper articles you find in your research may contain offensive and harmful language and content. The Connecticut Digital Newspaper Project digitizes historical newspapers to preserve the historical record, and as a result, these newspapers reflect outdated, biased, and offensive views. Through resources such as our topic guides, CDNP seeks to contextualize the historical content you might find while searching the newspapers digitized through our project.

Introduction

Clipping from newspaper article “Mental Hygiene Society Founded,” The Morning Journal-Courier, May 07, 1908The mental health movement has been evolving since its beginning in the early 20th century. There was activism before the 1900s, most notably done by Dorothea Dix, who fought for state-funded mental health hospitals, but overall, people who were deemed to have mental illnesses were forced into prisons, almshouses, or looked after, often poorly, by their families.

The United States’ poor mental healthcare system was brought to national attention when Clifford Whittingham Beers published his autobiography, A Mind That Found Itself, about his terrible experiences in a mental hospital in 1908. Beers’ book revealed that many patients in these institutions were abused by their caretakers as well as forced into inhumane living conditions.

In an effort to create sustainable and helpful “mental hygiene”—a precursor to the more modern concept of mental health—practices, Beers founded the Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene. This society’s work focused on advocating for people with mental health issues, as well as helping create national and state-by-state mental hygiene conferences and committees.

Soon mental hygiene activism spread from Connecticut across the entire country. Doctors, politicians, and everyday people were discussing how to prevent the spread of “insanity,” “feeble-mindedness,” or “mental diseases,” as well as arguing over how patients diagnosed with those conditions should and should not be treated.

These conversations led to several positive changes in mental healthcare in the United States: new laws were passed, new governmental departments created, and mental health projects and research began being funded by the government. However, since this was still a relatively new medical field, theories, diagnoses, and treatments that would now be considered unacceptable were accepted as fact.

Eugenics, a movement now known as a pseudoscience that led to discrimination, forced sterilization, and genocide, was widely accepted as an interdisciplinary field with mental hygiene. People were also told that 50% of all mental health issues were easily avoidable (“Alcohol and Mental Disease,” Norwich Bulletin, February 14, 1916), because doctors misunderstood how mental illnesses were caused. Some discussions even arose over whether or not the “hopelessly insane” should be “put to death” in order to stop their supposed pain (“Oppose Legal Death of Incurably Insane,” Norwich Bulletin, February 09, 1921). Even though new attention was being given to the issue of mental health, people were still suffering and being abused, either in state hospitals or their daily lives.

Newspaper articles from the early 1900s provide useful, timely examples of public opinion surrounding mental health, inform how the “mental hygiene” movement affected people’s lives, and demonstrate the evolution of attitudes and opinions about people with mental illnesses. Articles show how stigma about mental health from the beginning of the 1900s still echoes in conversations today.

How to Search this Topic in Historic CT Newspapers on Chronicling America

Open the Library of Congress Chronicling America collection, click on the “Advanced Search Tab, and select “Connecticut” in the “Select State(s)” box. Enter the search terms below in the boxes labeled “with all of the words” or “with the phrase.” A proximity search is also available by using the box labeled “with the words:…..within 5 words of each other” – this will ensure your search terms are located close together on the page. Once you’ve entered all search information, click “Search.”

Please note: To find newspaper content for your research, you may need to search for historical terminology that was used in the past to describe people with mental illnesses, and which is offensive, ableist, and not in use today. For more information about historical terminology used to describe mental health, consult the Disability History Glossary or the Restoring Perspective Glossary. To learn about inclusive description of topics related to mental health, consult the American Psychiatric Association’s Reporting on Mental Health Conditions.

Suggested Search Terms

  • Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene (phrase)
  • Mental Hygiene (phrase)
  • Mental Health (phrase)
  • Mental Disorder (phrase)
  • Mental Derangement (phrase)
  • Mental Disease (phrase)
  • Clifford Beers (within 5 words)
  • Feeble mind (phrase): Eugenicists used this term for a specific psychiatric classification of high-functioning mental illness.
  • Insane + hygiene (within 10 words)
  • Insane Patients (phrase): “Insane” was a medical diagnosis used to refer to people living with a range of mental illnesses.
  • Terhune + Hygiene (within 10 words)
  • Haviland + Hygiene (within 10 words)

Sample Search Results

Conferences and Activism

“Mental Hygiene Society Founded,” The Morning Journal-Courier, May 07, 1908, page 1, col. 7. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92051397/1908-05-07/ed-1/seq-1/>

“Various Matters,” Norwich Bulletin, January 11, 1909, page 5, col. 2. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1909-01-11/ed-1/seq-5/>

“A Wise Inquiry,” Norwich Bulletin, April 22, 1909, page 4, col. 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1909-04-22/ed-1/seq-4/>

“Three Norwich People Named on Committee,” Norwich Bulletin, November 20, 1909, page 5, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1909-11-20/ed-1/seq-5/>

“Recommendations for State Hospital,” Norwich Bulletin, January 11, 1911, page 5, col. 5. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1911-01-11/ed-1/seq-5/>

“State Mental Hygiene Society,” Norwich Bulletin, October 24, 1911, page 5, col. 4. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1911-10-24/ed-1/seq-5/>

“Mental Hygiene,” Norwich Bulletin, January 03, 1913, page 4, col. 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1913-01-03/ed-1/seq-4/>

“Program Adopted for Charities Conference,” New Britain Herald, February 23, 1915, page 2, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1915-02-23/ed-1/seq-2/>

“Plan Campaign to Reach Every Soldier,” The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer, October 03, 1919, page 14, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92051227/1919-10-03/ed-1/seq-14/>

“State Health Department Has Mental Hygiene Division,” Norwich Bulletin, November 04, 1921, page 11, col. 4. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1921-11-04/ed-1/seq-11/>

“Field Worker Engaged for Norwich State Hospital,” Norwich Bulletin, November 16, 1921, page 5, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1921-11-16/ed-1/seq-5/>

“Mental Hygiene Society to Meet Here December 2,” The Bridgeport Times and Evening Farmer, November 18, 1921, page 10, col. 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92051227/1921-11-18/ed-1/seq-10/>

“To Fight Insanity as Disease in Coming Campaign,” The Bridgeport Times Evening Farmer, December 3, 1921, page 2, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92051227/1921-12-03/ed-1/seq-2/>

“Mental Hygiene Expert Will Speak at Y.W.C.A.,” New Britain Herald, April 16, 1926, page 14, col. 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1926-04-16/ed-1/seq-14/>

“Asylums of State Not Large Enough,” New Britain Herald, March 06, 1929, page 11, col. 4. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1929-03-06/ed-1/seq-11/>

“Opposes Threatening to Discipline Child,” New Britain Herald, May 16, 1929, page 22, col. 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1929-05-16/ed-1/seq-22/>

“Parent-Teacher Meeting,” New Britain Herald, March 18, 1930, page 7, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1930-03-18/ed-1/seq-7/>

“Mental Hygienist Urges One More State School,” New Britain Herald, May 20, 1930, page 4, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1930-05-20/ed-1/seq-4/>

“Feeble-Minded Home is Urged,” The Waterbury Democrat, August 01, 1934, page 5, col. 5. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014085/1934-08-01/ed-1/seq-5/>

“Mental Hygiene Course Started: Dr. E Van Norman Emery Conducting Sessions to Help Teachers,” The Waterbury Democrat, September 28, 1934, page 24, col. 5. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014085/1934-09-28/ed-1/seq-24/>

Medical Opinions and Articles

“An Epoch-Marking Project,” The Morning Journal-Courier, March 31, 1908, page 6, col. 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn92051397/1908-03-31/ed-1/seq-6/>

“Letters to the Editor,” Norwich Bulletin, January 23, 1909, page 11, col. 5. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1909-01-23/ed-1/seq-11/>

“Campaign Against Insanity,” The Bridgeport Evening Farmer, February 22, 1911, page 4, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84022472/1911-02-22/ed-1/seq-4/>

“Society for Mental Hygiene,” Norwich Bulletin, April 10, 1914, page 4, col. 2. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1914-04-10/ed-1/seq-4/>

“Preventable Forms of Insanity,” Norwich Bulletin, February 05, 1916, page 12, col. 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1916-02-05/ed-1/seq-12/>

“Alcohol and Mental Disease,” Norwich Bulletin, February 14, 1916, page 6, col. 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1916-02-14/ed-1/seq-14/>

“The Psychopathic Hospital,” Norwich Bulletin, March 04, 1916, page 3, col. 6. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1916-03-04/ed-1/seq-3/>

“Preventative Work for Individuals,” Norwich Bulletin, March 11, 1916, page 3, col. 4. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1916-03-11/ed-1/seq-3/>

“Oppose Legal Death of Incurably Insane,” Norwich Bulletin, February 09, 1921, page 5, col. 5. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014086/1921-02-09/ed-1/seq-5/>

“Dementia Praecox Being Conquered,” New Britain Herald, December 27, 1927, page 3, col. 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. Of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014519/1927-12-27/ed-1/seq-3/>

Bibliography

Books

  • Beers, Clifford Whittingham. A mind that found itself: an autobiography. New York, London [etc.]: Longmans, Green, and Co. 1908. http://archive.org/details/39002010727783.med.yale.edu.
  • Beers, Clifford Whittingham, and Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene. A society for mental hygiene as an agency for social service and education. Connecticut, New Haven: Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene. 1910. http://archive.org/details/societyformental00beer.
  • Beers, Clifford Whittingham, and Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene. The after care of the insane : a history of its development and a discussion of its nature and value as an agency in the prevention of mental disorders, together with a plan for its practical application in Connecticut and other chosen fields. Connecticut, New Haven: Bradley & Scoville. 1909. http://archive.org/details/39002086344208.med.yale.edu.
  • Beers, Clifford Whittingham. The mental hygiene movement. New York: [s.n.]. 1921. http://archive.org/details/mentalhygienemov00beer.
  • Beers, Clifford Whittingham, Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene, and National Conference of Charities and Correction (U.S.). The value of social service as an agency in the prevention of nervous and mental disorders : its importance as a part of the work of hospitals for the insane and of a state society for mental hygiene. Connecticut, New Haven: Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene. 1910. http://archive.org/details/valueofsocialser00beer.

Websites

Journal Articles

Dissertations

Skip to content