World Federation for Mental Health: United States Committee, Inc. Records, 1931 - 1974, bulk 1961 - 1966

Summary

Creator:
World Federation for Mental Health
Abstract:
This collection contains records from the World Federation for Mental Health: United States Committee, Inc. The collection has 13 series: By-laws; Minutes and Material Related to Annual Meetings; Memoranda, Minutes, Reports, Agendas and Related Material; Correspondence (General, Chronological, Address Books); United Nations (General Correspondence, Projects, Publications); Fundraising (Foundations, Industry, Scientific Institutes, Special Events, Benefits); Office of Vocational Rehabilitation; Financial Records; Personnel Files; Artifacts; International Committee for Mental Hygiene; World Federation for Mental Health Geneva Office; and Photographs.
Extent:
59 boxes 24.6 linear feet
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

There are 13 series in this collection.

By-laws consist of duplicate copies of the by-laws of the U.S. Committee, Inc.

Minutes and Material Related to Annual Meetings include minutes of the Executive Committee and Governing Board. Records pertaining to annual meetings consist of some texts of speeches, financial reports and fund balances, proposed budgets, income estimates, election results, notices of meetings, and a list of officers and Governing Board members.

Memoranda, Minutes, Reports, Agendas and Related Material are comprised of records reproduced for distribution. Sheets of paper identifying the nature and subject matter of the records were placed with the appropriate material by the office staff and these notes have been retained. The records consist of all the above named types of material as indicated in the series title. In addition, there are news releases, notices of meetings, financial reports and fund balances, proposed budgets, significant letters, and records regarding annual benefit dinners. Of special interest is the memo to members of the Coordinating Committee on coordinating the work of the Geneva and New York offices. In 1966, the memos were given reference numbers, which are in chronological order.

Correspondence (General, Chronological, Address Books). General Correspondence consists primarily of correspondence of William T. Beaty, II, Executive Director of the U.S. Committee, Inc. with a wide variety of organizations involved in aspects of mental health. Individuals with whom Beaty corresponded represent both WFMH and other organizations. A broad range of subjects dealing with the operations of the U.S. office are discussed. Some material is filed by subject matter, such as annual meetings, associates, Coordinating Committee, finance, fundraising, insurance, and Nominating Committee. The Appraisal Project refers to a financial and business appraisal of the Geneva Office conducted by outside consultant S.L. Steinwurtzel in May 1966 during a period of severe financial and other problems. The letters "MF" are written in the corner of many letters; these initials refer to "Master File" a filing system devised under William T. Beaty, II. These files were placed in alphabetical order by his office, and this system was retained by the archivist. Chronological correspondence appears to be a cross reference filing system, with the bulk of letters placed in the Master File (General Correspondence). The archivist noted that not all letters in the Chronological File are duplicated in the Master File, and therefore has retained both sets of files. This series consists of carbon copies of letters written by William T. Beaty, II, 1961-1966 and carbons of letters written by the Assistant Executive Director, Claudia Street Smith, 1964-1966. The initials "RF" written in the corner signify Reading File. Address books consists of an address book, c. 1960, and an undated Rolodex file.

United Nations (General Correspondence, Projects, Publications). Cooperation with the United Nations and its specialized agencies such as the Economic and Social Council, UNESCO, World Health Organization, and UNICEF was a mandate of the World Federation for Mental Health (Geneva Office). The Federation maintained an official consultant role and is known as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Helen Ascher (Mrs. Charles S. Ascher) served as the official representative from approximately 1952-1960. Mrs. Ascher died in 1961. Elizabeth Cohen (Mrs. Myer Cohen) served in this capacity at least until 1966. The representative attended public and mental health meetings that took place at the United Nations, as well as annual conferences and regional seminars that occurred elsewhere. General Correspondence consists of correspondence regarding a variety of pertinent issues with both Mrs. Ascher and Mrs. Cohen in addition to mimeographed reports of the Geneva Office. Other reports, press releases, and public relations material provide additional information about the functioning of the United Nations. The WFMH sponsored some projects of the United Nations and was involved in others that the United Nations initiated. An example of one organized by the WFMH in the project sub-series is the celebration of World Mental Health Year in 1960. World Health Day in 1959 heralded the five central projects of World Mental Health Year. Examples of other projects are rehabilitation of the crippled and handicapped, Hungarian refugees in Austria, maternal and child welfare, conferences on discrimination, peaceful uses of atomic energy, and cultural aspects of delinquency. This sub-series also includes a paper by Margaret Mead on children's play materials for international use. Publications has reports of the United National Economic and Social Council and publications of the World Health Organization and UNESCO. The U.S. representatives maintained publications about mental health not published either by WFMH or the United Nations.

Fundraising (Foundations, Industry, Scientific Institutes, Special Events, Benefits). Foundations consists of correspondence pertaining to soliciting funds from foundations. Files on both foundations that provided support and those that did not were maintained by the U.S. Committee, Inc. Industry refers to corporations and individuals associated with industries that were solicited for funds. Scientific Institutes pertain to soliciting funds from both governmental and non-governmental institutes. Special Events refers to special events sponsored by the U.S. Committee, Inc. Such events included a series of fundraising parties initiated by Mrs. Blanche Ittleson and contributions made in the memory of Mrs. Helen S. Ascher, who was WFMH Representative to the United Nations. WFMH: U.S. Committee, Inc. sponsored yearly benefits. Most of these took the form of dinner dances with themes taken from the countries in which the WFMH annual meetings took place. The themes of the dinners and the years in which they occurred were as follows: 1960 World Mental Health Year Dinner, 1961 Film Premiere Dinner, 1962 Letter Appeal, 1963 Tulip Time: Dinner Dance, 1964 Alpine Springtime Dinner Dance, 1965 "Thai Time" Dinner Dance, and 1966 "World Travel Time" Dinner Dance. The types of records included in this sub-series are printed material prepared for the benefits such as invitations, programs, and souvenir journals; press releases; news clippings; lists of guests of honor; and correspondence.

Office of Vocational Rehabilitation of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was the primary funding source for a three-year study conducted by the U.S. Committee, Inc. The topic dealt with attitudes toward mental health and mental illness emphasizing vocational rehabilitation. Some background material for this grant and the study comprises this series.

Financial Records encompasses monthly financial reports and fund balances, budgets, accountants’ reports, lists of major contributors, Executive Board decisions regarding financial matters, and memos concerning the closure of the New York office.

Personnel Files cover files on employees in all part-time and full-time capacities who worked for WFMH: U.S. Committee, Inc. There are files for applications for employment from individuals who were not employed.

Artifacts has a gavel that was used at meetings of the Executive Committee and Governing Board and two metal embossers.

International Committee for Mental Hygiene records include minutes and the certificate of incorporation, publications, budgets and financial records, correspondence, and other material pertaining to the transition from this organization to the World Federation for Mental Health.

World Federation for Mental Health Geneva Office has records of the Geneva Office that were part of the archives of the U.S. Committee, Inc. These records include Articles of Association, certificate of incorporation, by-laws, and a history of the WFMH by John Rees, who was director from 1949-1960. Annual meeting records include minutes, reports, summary records of Executive Board meetings, summaries of papers given at annual meetings, annual reports, correspondence, and texts of talks. In addition, there are lists of officers and Executive Board members, lists of member-associations and affiliated organizations, Correspondence of Francois Cloutier, Director from 1962-1965, and financial records.

Photographs were identified by Mr. William T. Beaty, II, former Executive Director of WFMH: U.S. Committee, Inc., during 1988-1989. Most are black and white professional glossies. The photographs have been divided into two sub-series. There are photographs from Mr. Beaty that were his personal property. They depict people he individually knew during his position as Assistant Executive Director of the New York State Association for Mental Health. These people represent a variety of mental health organizations. The photographs are unrelated to his work with the World Federation for Mental Health: U.S. Committee, Inc. There are also photographs related to WFMH: U.S. Committee, Inc. and depict officers as well as benefit dinners.

Biographical / historical:

The founding of the World Federation for Mental Health: U.S. Committee, Inc. has its antecedents in the National Committee for Mental Hygiene, which was founded by Clifford Beers in 1909. This organization promoted the First International Congress on Mental Hygiene held in Washington, D.C. in 1930.

The predecessor of the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Committee for Mental Hygiene, was founded in 1930 by Clifford Beers and held its last meeting in 1948 and closed its doors in 1958. The International Committee changed its name in 1957 to the World Federation for Mental Health: United States Committee, Inc. The International Committee was not dissolved; its legal existence was preserved. The procedure to preserve the legal existence of the International Committee was recommended so that any gifts or bequests made to the International Committee would not be forfeited because of its non-existence, but through arrangement between the International Committee and the World Federation, would be handled and administered by the World Federation. In order to accomplish this, the membership of the International Committee was reduced to five people who elected themselves as a Governing Board. All the other members of the International Committee and all the members of the Governing Board (except the five people) submitted written resignations as members of the International Committee and the Governing Board. The by-laws were amended to reflect the change in the operation of the International Committee. Records in the collection reflect this procedure.

The World Federation for Mental Health was founded at the Third International Congress on Mental Health in London in 1948 and began with 22 member-associations in 22 countries. In 1963, there were 149 member-associations (149 in 50 countries and 10 transnational associations). Professional associations represented a variety of special interests, such as groups of parents of the handicapped and research workers.

The aim of the World Federation for Mental Health was to promote among all peoples and nations the highest possible standard of mental health, in its broadest behavioral, medical, educational, and social aspects. The activities it applied to meet its goals were manifold and included the following: 1) To cooperate with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, UNESCO, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF, with all of whom the Federation had a consultant role; 2) To promote mutual understanding and the exchange of knowledge through its annual meetings, international congresses, seminars, and study groups; 3) To collect and disseminate information; 4) To promote and conduct scientific research, surveys, and demonstrations in the field of mental health; 5) To make awards, give prizes, and grant fellowships and scholarships.

The Federation published periodicals and scientific publications. The headquarters were located in London until 1963, then moved to Geneva, other countries, and were located in Arlington, Virginia.

The U.S. Committee, Inc. was established in 1958 and its chief purposes were: "To engage in charitable, scientific, literary, and educational activities, with particular reference to the promotion and conservation of the mental health of the people of all nations; to the study, treatment, and prevention of nervous and mental disorders and mental defect; and in general to the promotion of the welfare of man."

The major function of the U.S. Committee, Inc. was to fundraise in the United States for the goals of the Geneva office. As the Federation was drawing most of its income from fundraising in the United States, and because it was an international organization, did not allow certain donors to deduct their gifts from their income tax, the local United States group was thought to be necessary to receive and transmit funds. Fundraising activities included benefit dinners, support from foundations, corporations, and individuals. Most of the funds to operate the Geneva Office came from fundraising activities in the United States.

Other functions of the U.S. Committee, Inc. were educational. It conducted various research projects that had an international aspect. These were carried out in close collaboration and with co-sponsorship of the Geneva Office. Meetings and conferences were held to interpret the need for more concentrated attention on mental health activities.

The New York office served dual functions. It was the national headquarters for WFMH: U.S. Committee, Inc., whose headquarters were located in London and later Geneva. It was also the New York Regional Office of WFMH for North, Central, and South America, and the Caribbean. Functions included sending literature such as newsletters, periodicals, and annual reports to individual and organizational members within this region. The office asked for renewals of these members and organized regional meetings on various topics of interest.

Another function of the regional office was to provide the administrative backup to the WFMH Non-Governmental Organization representatives to the United Nations. The volunteers were Helen Ascher and later Elizabeth Cohen. The regional office supported their work by paying their expenses, doing the typing, providing office space, and sending reports to the WFMH Executive Board.

The staffs of the two New York offices were the same. Thus William T. Beaty, II served as the Executive Director of both WFMH: U.S. Committee, Inc. and the New York Regional Office. Mr. Beaty served in this capacity from 1961-1966 until the New York office closed. Prior to 1961, he served the organization on a voluntary basis. During the time Mr. Beaty served as the Executive Director, he was also the General Secretary of the Regional Office.

Acquisition information:
Gift of William T. Beaty II, Executive Director, 1968.
Appraisal information:

Approximately one-half of the collection was kept permanently. The other half was discarded after careful perusal by the archivist and permission of Dr. Eric T. Carlson and William T. Beaty, II. The material which was discarded consisted principally of financial records, such as check stubs, copies of bank drafts and statements, daily transactions of donors,and related material. Other material disposed of included detailed plans for annual benefit dinners and numerous printed copies of invitations, raffle books, fundraising journals, and similar material. Numerous duplicate copies of memos were also discarded.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from the Oskar Diethelm Library and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Location of this collection:
DeWitt Wallace Institute of Psychiatry: History, Policy and the Arts
Weill Cornell Medical College
525 East 68th Street, Box 140
New York, NY 10065, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
212-746-3728