A "therapeutic community" meeting at the Brooklyn (New York) Day Hospital encouraged unrestricted communication between patient and staff as well as between patient and patient. The daily meetings were part of the hospital's aftercare program. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1962. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
The exact determination of a patient's insensible body weight loss provided a "vital link" in studies at what was at the time a new neuroendocrinology research laboratory. From the New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1959. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani
Volunteer programs bring the community to the hospital and sometimes vice versa. Here, the Mental Hospital Guild in Brooklyn, New York takes 350 patients out for a picnic in a city park. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1958. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
Adult education for the mildly retarded at Wassaic (New York) State School stresses occupational and social skills. Training such as these girls are receiving gives the young adult a better chance of meeting the social and economic demands of the outside world upon their return to the community. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1958. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
With growing public confidence in mental hospitals, increasing numbers of patients enter voluntarily. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1958. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
Girls in adolescent unit at Rockland State Hospital receive a lesson in table setting as part of their training in home making. From the New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1957. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
Dave Garroway interviews Dr. Paul H. Hoch, Commissioner of Mental Hygiene, on the nationwide telecast, "Today." Also shown on the program were films taken at Rochester (New York) State Hospital demonstrating the effects of drug therapy. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1956. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
As the number of patients participating in activities increased as a result of drug therapy, the recreation programs were also stepped up. Here, the Newark (New York) State School band steps out "smartly" on parade. The band would play frequently at area events and won a number of prizes. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1956. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
Holiday celebrations and traditions are high spots in the recreation program. Here, a group of children are out in costume on a trick or treat Halloween parade at Willowbrook (New York) State Hospital. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1956. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.
Former patient Audrey Cole guides March of Medicine announcer Ben Grauer through New York State's Hudson River State Hospital ward for NBC-TV's live telecast. New York State Office of Mental Hygiene Annual Report 1955. Courtesy of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Paul Castellani.