Research: Topics: Health Care: Strategic Plan for Documenting Mental Health in NY
A Strategic Plan for Documenting Mental Health in New York State
Documentation Priority Descriptions and Potential Records
Priority: Document the mental health and related services provided by institutions, organizations, and individuals and the training and personal experiences of service providers.
The issue: A variety of state, local, and private organizations have been involved in providing mental health services since the early 1800s. The 19th century witnessed both public and private workhouses and asylums, the Superintendents of the Poor, the Commissioners in Lunacy, and the State Board of Charities. In the 20th century, services were provided through state hospitals, psychiatric centers, community-based care organizations, the Office of Mental Hygiene, county departments of mental health, and private treatment centers. In all of these organizations, service providers have included doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, clergy, social workers, and other mental health care professionals. The mental health recipient movement emerged in the 20th century also, providing services, support, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental health issues. Approximately 110 collections statewide document the institutions that have provided mental health services for over 150 years. Fewer than 90 collections document individuals who provide mental health services.
Goal: To document the provision of mental health services, including diagnosis, treatments and therapies, social and recreational programs, self-help and peer-to-peer programs, and other services provided by:
- Institutions such as state psychiatric centers and their predecessors, hospitals, correctional facilities
- Day treatment homes, group homes and other private facilities
- Recipient-controlled or –influenced organizations
- Unified service counties
- Public and private schools, colleges, and universities
- Individual or group-practice psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, therapists, and other mental health professionals
Goal: To document research and professional educational functions that take place in mental health facilities and their impact on the mental health services provided, including.
- Nursing schools and affiliated training programs
- Internships
- Research programs
Goal: To document aspects of mental health-related facilities insofar as they pertain to mental health issues, including
- Architecture and design
- Administration (fiscal, personnel management, policies)
- Maintenance
- Human services (food, shelter, interior design and furnishings, clothing, recreation, etc.)
Goal: To document roles, responsibilities, training, and experiences of mental health professionals and service providers including:
- Medical staff: doctors, nurses, technicians
- Private practitioners: psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors
- Support staff and others who interact regularly with recipients
- Professional associations
Existing Documentation
Documentation of the Office of Mental Health’s and its predecessors’ facilities statewide is extensive. In all other topics covered by this priority area, the documentation is extremely sparse.
Where to look for more records (preliminary suggestions only)
- General hospital psychiatric units
- Private residential and non-residential mental health agencies
- Self-help networks and groups
- County and regional mental health associations and programs, public and private
- Professional organizations of mental health service providers
