Historical Analysis: Mental Health Causes and Impacts Before the 1930s
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This essay explores the history of mental health treatment in America before the 1930s, highlighting the tremendous changes it underwent. It discusses the cruel and inhumane treatment methods, such as torture, electric shock, and lobotomies, that were once considered acceptable. The essay analyzes the societal impact of these treatments and the gradual shift towards more humane and understanding approaches. It also covers the establishment of organizations like Mental Health America and the enactment of policies aimed at transforming mental health care. The essay concludes by emphasizing the significant progress made in creating awareness and changing attitudes towards mental health, while acknowledging the ongoing need for further improvement. Desklib provides access to similar essays and study resources for students.
RUNNING HEAD: HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL HEALTH
BEFORE THE 1930s
1
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL HEALTH
BEFORE THE 1930s
1
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RUNNING HEAD: HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
Introduction
The history of mental health treatment in America had undergone tremendous changes
since the World War II period (Chang et al, 2010). Mental health problems were treated by
exercising of torturing, electric shock, lobotomies and isolation which were deemed to be a way
to achieve normalcy amongst patients. These ideas of treatment existed in mental health for a
period of 100 years and the first treatment in mental health can be dated back to 5000 B.C.E.
Post this period there have been several methods that have been adopted in mental health
treatment and progressing to the recent ones that are being used now. The current scope of
mental health treatment has totally transformed from such inhumane treatment. Such methods of
treatment not only affect the patient but also people from his family. Mental health treatment was
mostly feared amongst people due to the cruelty with patients were treated. Mental health can be
regarded as being similar to illness in physical health; hence health practitioner and doctors need
to treat patients with care (Minkler & Wallerstein, 2011). Such treatment in mental health has
greater social impacts and can cause harm to the overall health of the patient. The scope of this
current evaluates the problems arising from cruel forms of such mental health treatment on
patients in the historic struggle in mental health.
Analysis
Mental health illness can be regarded as any other form of illness which a patient might
suffer from. Earliest practices in mental health can be understood from Grob (1992) prior to
World War II period, where the aim was to treat patients facing the most severe mental health
disorders. Mental health diagnosis was considered to be a brain disorder; the new genre of
mental health treatment was aimed at changing this attitude towards mental illness. The Mental
Health America (MHA) was set up in 1909 as a non-profit leading community-based center
towards treating Americans for living a better mentally healthier life. However, prior to setting
up of this center, mental health that was catered to patients was off criminal nature (Rosen,
2015). The initiation of such struggle in mental health can be looked back to the beginning of the
twentieth century when Clifford W. Beers, a graduate from Yale College and a Wall Street
financer faced episodes of bipolar disorder, post the illness and death of his brother. Beers
attempting to end his life by attempting suicide ended up injured and alive in a public and private
hospital in Connecticut over the next three years. There were various forms of cruel treatment
2
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
Introduction
The history of mental health treatment in America had undergone tremendous changes
since the World War II period (Chang et al, 2010). Mental health problems were treated by
exercising of torturing, electric shock, lobotomies and isolation which were deemed to be a way
to achieve normalcy amongst patients. These ideas of treatment existed in mental health for a
period of 100 years and the first treatment in mental health can be dated back to 5000 B.C.E.
Post this period there have been several methods that have been adopted in mental health
treatment and progressing to the recent ones that are being used now. The current scope of
mental health treatment has totally transformed from such inhumane treatment. Such methods of
treatment not only affect the patient but also people from his family. Mental health treatment was
mostly feared amongst people due to the cruelty with patients were treated. Mental health can be
regarded as being similar to illness in physical health; hence health practitioner and doctors need
to treat patients with care (Minkler & Wallerstein, 2011). Such treatment in mental health has
greater social impacts and can cause harm to the overall health of the patient. The scope of this
current evaluates the problems arising from cruel forms of such mental health treatment on
patients in the historic struggle in mental health.
Analysis
Mental health illness can be regarded as any other form of illness which a patient might
suffer from. Earliest practices in mental health can be understood from Grob (1992) prior to
World War II period, where the aim was to treat patients facing the most severe mental health
disorders. Mental health diagnosis was considered to be a brain disorder; the new genre of
mental health treatment was aimed at changing this attitude towards mental illness. The Mental
Health America (MHA) was set up in 1909 as a non-profit leading community-based center
towards treating Americans for living a better mentally healthier life. However, prior to setting
up of this center, mental health that was catered to patients was off criminal nature (Rosen,
2015). The initiation of such struggle in mental health can be looked back to the beginning of the
twentieth century when Clifford W. Beers, a graduate from Yale College and a Wall Street
financer faced episodes of bipolar disorder, post the illness and death of his brother. Beers
attempting to end his life by attempting suicide ended up injured and alive in a public and private
hospital in Connecticut over the next three years. There were various forms of cruel treatment
2
RUNNING HEAD: HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
that he received while at the institution one of which included being placed in a straightjacket for
consecutive 21 nights. He also faced horrific abuse from his caretakers, which were deemed to
be normal during that period. Thus, it can be realized that there was a greater societal problem in
recognizing the importance of providing care to a person receiving mental health treatment. The
society at that period, mental health was recognized to be treated in such a cruel manner so that
the patient can return to his normal life. Patients were ill-treated and often some patients tried to
escape as they were locked away in prisons, some patients were sent off to stay far from society
on an island. The absence of a national institution made the problem faced by the mentally ill to
be griever as there were no direct economic interests from treating the mentally ill. Moreover,
the problem of treating people with mental health was widespread across the world and was not
confined in America alone.
Awareness regarding mental health disorder was created to be a problem that was greater
than a merge brain disorder as it included neurobiology, genes, environmental and societal
influences. The state of the current problem was legitimized with Beers publishing his
autobiography, where he exposed the maltreatment of people receiving mental health treatment
and proposed at reforming care in 1908. Beers with a philosopher William James and
psychiatrists Adolf Meyer set up the National Committee for Mental Hygiene which later came
to be known as the National Mental Health Association. The organization was aimed at
transforming and improving attitudes of the society in general and attitude of health practitioner
in particular towards the mentally ill (Koenig, 2009). The organization was aimed at diagnosing
a path towards progress and changes to be brought about in mental health through service. The
most affected population at that time from mental health challenges included some of the most
important people such as scientists of society. The scientists and other young people of the
society being affected at that time drew significant attention from philosophers and psychiatrists,
who deemed the struggle of mental illness to be shameful during that period. With the movement
and institution being set up, there was no significant change that was brought about, however a
motivation to create a change was instigated. With the nature of the problem being widespread,
the real causes of the problem arising in treating individuals with mental health problem was
diagnosed. It was found to be ineffective economic and societal attention to create awareness for
the problem. The widespread nature of the problem can be seen from various instances in history
3
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
that he received while at the institution one of which included being placed in a straightjacket for
consecutive 21 nights. He also faced horrific abuse from his caretakers, which were deemed to
be normal during that period. Thus, it can be realized that there was a greater societal problem in
recognizing the importance of providing care to a person receiving mental health treatment. The
society at that period, mental health was recognized to be treated in such a cruel manner so that
the patient can return to his normal life. Patients were ill-treated and often some patients tried to
escape as they were locked away in prisons, some patients were sent off to stay far from society
on an island. The absence of a national institution made the problem faced by the mentally ill to
be griever as there were no direct economic interests from treating the mentally ill. Moreover,
the problem of treating people with mental health was widespread across the world and was not
confined in America alone.
Awareness regarding mental health disorder was created to be a problem that was greater
than a merge brain disorder as it included neurobiology, genes, environmental and societal
influences. The state of the current problem was legitimized with Beers publishing his
autobiography, where he exposed the maltreatment of people receiving mental health treatment
and proposed at reforming care in 1908. Beers with a philosopher William James and
psychiatrists Adolf Meyer set up the National Committee for Mental Hygiene which later came
to be known as the National Mental Health Association. The organization was aimed at
transforming and improving attitudes of the society in general and attitude of health practitioner
in particular towards the mentally ill (Koenig, 2009). The organization was aimed at diagnosing
a path towards progress and changes to be brought about in mental health through service. The
most affected population at that time from mental health challenges included some of the most
important people such as scientists of society. The scientists and other young people of the
society being affected at that time drew significant attention from philosophers and psychiatrists,
who deemed the struggle of mental illness to be shameful during that period. With the movement
and institution being set up, there was no significant change that was brought about, however a
motivation to create a change was instigated. With the nature of the problem being widespread,
the real causes of the problem arising in treating individuals with mental health problem was
diagnosed. It was found to be ineffective economic and societal attention to create awareness for
the problem. The widespread nature of the problem can be seen from various instances in history
3
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RUNNING HEAD: HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
where well-known scientists and other people of societal importance highlighted their ill-
treatment during their mental illness period.
After setting up the Mental Health America, more than 100 child guidance clinics were
created which aimed at preventing, early intervention and treating of childhood mental illnesses.
The organization drafted a mental ‘hygiene' program at the request of the Surgeon General for
the Navy and the Army to help in preparing for the First World War (1917). The organization
then aimed at convening the First International Congress on Mental Hygiene in Washington D.C.
to bring together 3,000 people from 41 countries in the 1930s. In the 1940s the ‘National Mental
Health Act' was created, it can be said that this position was there were not many transformations
brought about in treating the mentally ill, though gradually a framework was being set up
(Blustein, 2008). It was in the 1950s that the mission of change was initiated by the casting of the
Mental Health Bell transforming from the shackles and chains for restricting mentally ill people
in the past decades. This transformation can be seen to be a significant change brought about and
the Commission on Mental Illness and Mental Health was created and funded by the Congress,
where Mental Health America joined in. This created tremendous recognition for the problem
and setting a separate discourse or social movement aiming at resolving the social problem. The
policy is supported by Congress received great support and there were significant large numbers
of policies and conventions after the period. The Congress took more initiative to create
motivation towards mental health by passing the "Community Mental Health Centers Act"
(CMHC). The act allowed authorized construction grants for community mental health centers.
The Mental Health America had a key role in this legislation which was signed by President
Kennedy in 1963. In order to tackle the widespread of a societal problem, Community Mental
Health Centers Act went on to deinstitutionalize in order to increase community services and
also advocated renewal of the CMHC Act for increased appropriation. This period of societal
change was marked by great progress and gradually witnessed a period of recognition amongst
the greater section of the society.
The current policies and social movement were supported by a large number of countries
as they gradually came to adopt changes to be brought about in mental health treatment. The
policies enactment and deinstitutionalization of centers started catering to a large population of
people in America and this model started operating in other parts of the world as well (Shorter,
2008). These enactment and policies aimed at enhancing the overall state of mental health
4
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
where well-known scientists and other people of societal importance highlighted their ill-
treatment during their mental illness period.
After setting up the Mental Health America, more than 100 child guidance clinics were
created which aimed at preventing, early intervention and treating of childhood mental illnesses.
The organization drafted a mental ‘hygiene' program at the request of the Surgeon General for
the Navy and the Army to help in preparing for the First World War (1917). The organization
then aimed at convening the First International Congress on Mental Hygiene in Washington D.C.
to bring together 3,000 people from 41 countries in the 1930s. In the 1940s the ‘National Mental
Health Act' was created, it can be said that this position was there were not many transformations
brought about in treating the mentally ill, though gradually a framework was being set up
(Blustein, 2008). It was in the 1950s that the mission of change was initiated by the casting of the
Mental Health Bell transforming from the shackles and chains for restricting mentally ill people
in the past decades. This transformation can be seen to be a significant change brought about and
the Commission on Mental Illness and Mental Health was created and funded by the Congress,
where Mental Health America joined in. This created tremendous recognition for the problem
and setting a separate discourse or social movement aiming at resolving the social problem. The
policy is supported by Congress received great support and there were significant large numbers
of policies and conventions after the period. The Congress took more initiative to create
motivation towards mental health by passing the "Community Mental Health Centers Act"
(CMHC). The act allowed authorized construction grants for community mental health centers.
The Mental Health America had a key role in this legislation which was signed by President
Kennedy in 1963. In order to tackle the widespread of a societal problem, Community Mental
Health Centers Act went on to deinstitutionalize in order to increase community services and
also advocated renewal of the CMHC Act for increased appropriation. This period of societal
change was marked by great progress and gradually witnessed a period of recognition amongst
the greater section of the society.
The current policies and social movement were supported by a large number of countries
as they gradually came to adopt changes to be brought about in mental health treatment. The
policies enactment and deinstitutionalization of centers started catering to a large population of
people in America and this model started operating in other parts of the world as well (Shorter,
2008). These enactment and policies aimed at enhancing the overall state of mental health
4
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RUNNING HEAD: HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
treatment hence there was no negative consequences or hindrances faced while implanting them.
It gradually allowed transformation to be brought about in the entire framework of mental health
treatment. While the earlier forms of mental health treatment were characterized by stigma there
has been a significant transformation in the last millennium. The stigma received in the mental
health aspects had received significant criticism in the last decade. The humiliation of the
mentally healthy individual faced through family, society, community, and individual was
delegitimized. The current state of mental disorder came to be included in a larger framework by
the inclusion of societal impacts as well which could affect the outcomes significantly. The
policies and acts created a change in attitude that was deemed to be essential in mental health
treatment as considered by Hinshaw and Cicchetti (2000). The societal problem gradually was
diminished as mental health illness was considered to be an illness similar to physical illnesses.
In the current scenario, the entire framework of mental health illness has been transformed that is
depicted by greater levels of awareness. The problem that earlier existed in mental health no
more exists in its current form, though there still remain opportunities for improvement.
Since the 1980s there has been an awareness that has been created for various types of
mental health illnesses. With the formation of the National Alliance for Research on
Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) being formed with aid from Mental Health America
to raise private sector funds to support research on mental illness. Then there was the formation
of the National Commission on the Insanity and Defense public hearings. Most important
development in the policies has been the development of the Protection and Advocacy for the
Mentally Ill Act by Congress in 1985. The services of the mental health were enhanced to the
rural areas through a National Action was considered to be a major economic and social change.
Another major social change was brought about was the publishing of a report on the neglect of
children with emotional disorders. There have been no significant changes in the population as
mental health illnesses can arise from a wide range of issues. However, the impact from this
social problem has undergone a transformation as earlier the treatment of people suffering were
treated separately in the society but now there has been the role of acceptance towards them.
Conclusion
A large number of policies and acts were aimed at transforming the entire state of
mentally ill patients. The social problem which was large widespread and reduced significantly.
5
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
treatment hence there was no negative consequences or hindrances faced while implanting them.
It gradually allowed transformation to be brought about in the entire framework of mental health
treatment. While the earlier forms of mental health treatment were characterized by stigma there
has been a significant transformation in the last millennium. The stigma received in the mental
health aspects had received significant criticism in the last decade. The humiliation of the
mentally healthy individual faced through family, society, community, and individual was
delegitimized. The current state of mental disorder came to be included in a larger framework by
the inclusion of societal impacts as well which could affect the outcomes significantly. The
policies and acts created a change in attitude that was deemed to be essential in mental health
treatment as considered by Hinshaw and Cicchetti (2000). The societal problem gradually was
diminished as mental health illness was considered to be an illness similar to physical illnesses.
In the current scenario, the entire framework of mental health illness has been transformed that is
depicted by greater levels of awareness. The problem that earlier existed in mental health no
more exists in its current form, though there still remain opportunities for improvement.
Since the 1980s there has been an awareness that has been created for various types of
mental health illnesses. With the formation of the National Alliance for Research on
Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) being formed with aid from Mental Health America
to raise private sector funds to support research on mental illness. Then there was the formation
of the National Commission on the Insanity and Defense public hearings. Most important
development in the policies has been the development of the Protection and Advocacy for the
Mentally Ill Act by Congress in 1985. The services of the mental health were enhanced to the
rural areas through a National Action was considered to be a major economic and social change.
Another major social change was brought about was the publishing of a report on the neglect of
children with emotional disorders. There have been no significant changes in the population as
mental health illnesses can arise from a wide range of issues. However, the impact from this
social problem has undergone a transformation as earlier the treatment of people suffering were
treated separately in the society but now there has been the role of acceptance towards them.
Conclusion
A large number of policies and acts were aimed at transforming the entire state of
mentally ill patients. The social problem which was large widespread and reduced significantly.
5
RUNNING HEAD: HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
With setting up of institutions and establishing policies and acts to guide their practice, values to
treat mentally challenged patients have changed. The historic struggle of mentally challenged
people has undergone a transformation with the creation of awareness among the general public.
Thus, it can be said that the cruel forms of treatment of mentally ill patients have been
transformed and changed over the past decade through development and implantation of policies
and acts in the past century.
6
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
With setting up of institutions and establishing policies and acts to guide their practice, values to
treat mentally challenged patients have changed. The historic struggle of mentally challenged
people has undergone a transformation with the creation of awareness among the general public.
Thus, it can be said that the cruel forms of treatment of mentally ill patients have been
transformed and changed over the past decade through development and implantation of policies
and acts in the past century.
6
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RUNNING HEAD: HISTORICAL STRUGGLE IN CAUSES AND IMPACTS OF MENTAL
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
References
Blustein, D. L. (2008). The role of work in psychological health and well-being: a conceptual,
historical, and public policy perspective. American Psychologist, 63(4), 228. Accessed
from http://doi.apa.org/journals/amp/63/4/228.html
Chang, C. K., Hayes, R. D., Broadbent, M., Fernandes, A. C., Lee, W., Hotopf, M., & Stewart,
R. (2010). All-cause mortality among people with serious mental illness (SMI), substance
use disorders, and depressive disorders in southeast London: a cohort study. BMC
psychiatry, 10(1), 77. Accessed from
https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-244X-10-77
Koenig, H. G. (2009). Faith and mental health: Religious resources for healing. Templeton
Foundation Press. Accessed from https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=jt5RmK_h2jgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+IN
+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ots=e
QhOPcwsOb&sig=_JPjAC0SSDJ4Z9YrRWhj9Cni838#v=onepage&q&f=false
Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (Eds.). (2011). Community-based participatory research for
health: From process to outcomes. John Wiley & Sons. Accessed from
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=1Wry09vE_HUC&oi=fnd&pg=PT45&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+
IN+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ot
s=tIiU8WPxMK&sig=FSp1I3j6Vz7F9gI3S0rYVlvjg34#v=onepage&q&f=false
Rosen, G. (2015). A history of public health. JHU Press. Accessed from
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=hpyeBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+I
N+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ots
=bL_G66YNyV&sig=0TAsa2XpvC5UFiG4MkJaTYj0ZMc#v=onepage&q&f=false
Shorter, E. (2008). Before Prozac: The troubled history of mood disorders in psychiatry. Oxford
University Press. Accessed from https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=8VaYF8pIPxgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+I
N+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ots
=rCUORyJq3n&sig=tzYmmW_utTKuGwuvzrKSgj6ixhI#v=onepage&q&f=false
7
HEALTH BEFORE THE 1930s
References
Blustein, D. L. (2008). The role of work in psychological health and well-being: a conceptual,
historical, and public policy perspective. American Psychologist, 63(4), 228. Accessed
from http://doi.apa.org/journals/amp/63/4/228.html
Chang, C. K., Hayes, R. D., Broadbent, M., Fernandes, A. C., Lee, W., Hotopf, M., & Stewart,
R. (2010). All-cause mortality among people with serious mental illness (SMI), substance
use disorders, and depressive disorders in southeast London: a cohort study. BMC
psychiatry, 10(1), 77. Accessed from
https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-244X-10-77
Koenig, H. G. (2009). Faith and mental health: Religious resources for healing. Templeton
Foundation Press. Accessed from https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=jt5RmK_h2jgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+IN
+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ots=e
QhOPcwsOb&sig=_JPjAC0SSDJ4Z9YrRWhj9Cni838#v=onepage&q&f=false
Minkler, M., & Wallerstein, N. (Eds.). (2011). Community-based participatory research for
health: From process to outcomes. John Wiley & Sons. Accessed from
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=1Wry09vE_HUC&oi=fnd&pg=PT45&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+
IN+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ot
s=tIiU8WPxMK&sig=FSp1I3j6Vz7F9gI3S0rYVlvjg34#v=onepage&q&f=false
Rosen, G. (2015). A history of public health. JHU Press. Accessed from
https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=hpyeBgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+I
N+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ots
=bL_G66YNyV&sig=0TAsa2XpvC5UFiG4MkJaTYj0ZMc#v=onepage&q&f=false
Shorter, E. (2008). Before Prozac: The troubled history of mood disorders in psychiatry. Oxford
University Press. Accessed from https://books.google.co.in/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=8VaYF8pIPxgC&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&dq=HISTORICAL+STRUGGLE+I
N+CAUSES+AND+IMPACTS+OF+MENTAL+HEALTH+BEFORE+THE+1930s&ots
=rCUORyJq3n&sig=tzYmmW_utTKuGwuvzrKSgj6ixhI#v=onepage&q&f=false
7
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