Case History of a Mental Health Clinic

Abstract

came into being in 1953 because, here as elsewhere, World War II brought about a greater familiarity with psychiatric concepts and an increasing understanding of the cost to the community of the problems arising from neglected emotional disorders. In the long period of preparation-more than 20 years-the concept of psychiatric social service for the tri-city area evolved from that of a small treatment unit, originally planned for Holyoke, to the nucleus of a mental health center serving a highly industrialized area of 160,000 and having infinite possibilities of further expansion. The concept of areawide service was realized through the leadership of the Junior League in Holyoke and with the cooperation of the Massachusetts State Departmient of Mental Health as well as many local professional and community leaders. Careful surveys of existing needs before the project became a set plan and a realistic approach to financing eventually demonstrated the values of an area plan of high professional standards. Mrs. Collins is the head psychiatric social worker of the area mental health clinic described in this account. The clinic, a joint undertaking of the