The Evolution of Mental Health Care: 200 years at Hartford HealthCare's Institute of Living: Episode 2

In recognition of the 200th anniversary of Hartford HealthCare’s Institute of Living (IOL) this year, Hartford HealthCare has partnered with the Connecticut Historical Society to present Common Struggle, Individual Experience: An Exhibition About Mental Health. 

This special podcast series will take us through the history of mental health treatment in Connecticut, and behind the scenes of the IOL, the first psychiatric hospital in the history of Connecticut and the third in the nation.

The journey of mental health care through the 19th and 20th century is a fascinating one. The IOL played a significant role in fundamentally changing approaches to mental health – blazing a trail of moral, ethical treatment for others to follow.

In episode two, Hartford HealthCare’s Steve Coates talks to Dr. Harold "Hank" Schwartz,  psychiatrist-in-chief emeritus at the Institute of Living.

They take us back to the state of mental health in 1822. A time when those with mental illness were treated like prisoners, or worse. The field was on the cusp of much-needed change, which began in Europe. That change would soon reach the American shores and would be spearheaded by Eli Todd, a physician in Farmington, Connecticut, and who served as the first director of the Institute of Living.

Check the links in this episode’s notes to listen to episode one featuring the Connecticut Historical Society’s Director of Exhibitions Ben Gammell, and Research Historian Karen Li Miller describing the “Common Struggle” exhibit which is now open at the Connecticut Historical Society.

Be sure to follow Hartford HealthCare on your favorite podcast platform where more episodes focusing on the IOL’s history, present and future will publish throughout the year. Just search “Hartford HealthCare” on your favorite podcast platform.

The Evolution of Mental Health Care: 200 years at Hartford HealthCare's Institute of Living:
Episode One

Learn more about Hartford HealthCare's Institute of Living

Learn more about Common Struggle, Individual Experience: An Exhibition About Mental Health Presented by Hartford HealthCare Institute of Living