The New York herald., 1921-06-11
Forestalling Insanity.
New York States Advanced Work in
Treatment OF Mental Diseases.

To THE NEW YORK HERALD: Members
of the Mental Hygiene Committee Of
the State Charities Aid Association have
read with interest and approval your
editorial article of May 2S apropos Of
the centenary of the Bloomingdale Hos
pital entitled Combating Mental Dis
eases" Such an article, true to fact
and admirably summarizing the present
situation with regard to this problem,
aids very materially in creating the
public understanding which is so recess
sary for further progress.
The article is altogether right in put
ting emphasis upon prevention as the
next great step to be taken In this
programme. In New York State rather
substantial headway has already been
MAJ de in this direction. Beginning with
the demonstration mental clinic estab-
lished by this committee at 295 Henry
street IN 1913. similar outpatient clinics
for mental and nervous diseases have
since been established by all of the thir-
teen civil State hospitals in this State.
There are now forty-one such clinics
in regular operation. meeting at least
once monthly, many OF them meeting
weekly. Last year 3,S5S persons made
1850 visits to these clinics.
In sixteen of these clinics tho State
Commission for Mental Detectives CO.
operates, constituting what are known
as "Joint clinics for mental disease
and mental defect. These joint clinics
are well stated with a psychiatrist from
the State hospital. a physician from one
of the State schools for mental defec-
tives, psychologist for the giving OF
intelligence tests and psychiatric
social worker who carries on the follow.
up work in the community.
1t is to be expected that many former
State hospital patients, paroled or dis
charged, would visit the clinic in order
to seek advice from the specialist and
receive further help in adjusting them
selves once more to the outside environ
ment. In fact paroled patients are re-
qulred to do this and discharged pa
tients who feel the need of It are
strongly urged to do so. Nevertheless,
the more significant fact in the work
of the clinics is that they are now
coming to be attended largely Hy per-
sons from the community who have
never been patients n a State hospital
or n santarium. but who realize the
Importance of obtaining early advice
and treatment with regard TO incipient
mental and nervous troubles. The re-
ports show that many OF these persons
have been saved the necessity OF treat
ment In a State hospital and that many
have had their efficiency and happiness
increased as a result of the counsel
received.
further extension OF the States
important work IN the prevention and
earlier treatment OF mental disorders
depends upon having sufficient medical
experts available in the State hospital
stats, and also upon further progress
In removing public misapprehension
toward mental diseases and the hesi-
fancy Of individuals to go to a mental
specialist for treatment, a point clearly
made In your editorial article. In both
these directions this committee Is coop
Grating with tho state authorities in the
interest Of a fuller development of this
great public service which means a
great deal not only to the health and
happiness OF large number OF individ-
uas but is also great financial saw
ing STANLEY p. DAWES.
Associate Secretary State Charities
Aid Association.
New YORK, June 10.