Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene

The Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene was an American organization founded in 1908 by Clifford Whittingham Beers. Beers, a former mental patient, was inspired by his own experiences of mistreatment in institutions to advocate for reform in mental health care. The organization's mission was to improve standards of care for individuals with mental conditions, prevent mental disorders, conserve mental health, and disseminate accurate information.12

Mental health is defined as the capacity to think and behave in ways that support well-being, cope with distress, and respect boundaries. Historically, attitudes toward mental illness ranged from fear and revulsion to more humane approaches, with early institutions often providing poor conditions. The mental hospital era saw an increase in segregated institutions, though overcrowding and custodial care eventually replaced earlier reformist ideals.234