Clifford Whittingham Beers | |
|---|---|
 Beers in 1908, from the frontispiece of his book | |
| Born | Clifford Whittingham Beers (1876-03-30)March 30, 1876 New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | July 9, 1943(1943-07-09) (aged 67) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Yale University |
| Occupation(s) | Founder of the "National Committee for Mental Hygiene" (1909) Founder ofNew Haven's Clifford Beers Clinic (1913), the first outpatient mental health clinic in the United States |
| Known for | Founder of the American Mental Health Movement Author ofA Mind That Found Itself (1908) |
| Spouse | Clara (Jepson) Beers |
| Parent(s) | Robert Anthony Beers Ida (Cooke) Beers |
| Honors | Honorary President of the World Federation for Mental Health Chevalier Legion d'Honneur (1933) |
Clifford Whittingham Beers (March 30, 1876 – July 9, 1943) was the founder of the American mental hygiene movement.[1]
Beers was born inNew Haven on March 30, 1876. He was one of five children, all of whom would suffer from psychological distress and would spend time in mental institutions, including Beers himself (see "Clifford W. Beers, Advocate for the Insane"). He graduated from theSheffield Scientific School atYale in 1897,[1] where he was business manager ofThe Yale Record and a member ofBerzelius.[2]
In 1900 he was first confined to a privatemental institution fordepression andparanoia. He would later be confined to another private hospital as well as a state institution. During these periods he experienced and witnessed serious maltreatment at the hands of the staff. His bookA Mind That Found Itself (1908), anautobiographical account of his hospitalization and the abuses he suffered, was widely and favorably reviewed, became a bestseller, and is still in print.[1]
Beers gained the support of the medical profession and others in the work to reform the treatment of the mentally ill. In 1908 Beers founded the "Connecticut Society for Mental Hygiene", now namedMental Health Connecticut. In 1909 Beers founded the "National Committee for Mental Hygiene", renamed "National Mental Health Association", now named "Mental Health America", in order to continue the reform for the treatment of the mentally ill.[3]
He also started the Clifford Beers Clinic inNew Haven in 1913, the first outpatient mental health clinic in the United States.[citation needed]
Beers became Honorary President of theWorld Federation for Mental Health.[when?][citation needed]
Beers was a leader in the field until his retirement in 1939.[1] He died inProvidence, Rhode Island, on July 9, 1943.
The Extra Mile inWashington, D.C., selected Beers as one of its 37 honorees. The Extra Mile pays homage to Americans like Beers who set their own self-interest aside to help others and successfully brought positive social change to the United States.
