Prior to the 1800’s, confinement of people with a mental illness was rare. Families or local communities took responsibility for mentally ill people. The 19th century saw the rise of state mental institutions, many of which were no more than warehouses for confinement which provided little treatment. In 1908 Clifford Beers wrote “A Mind That Healed Itself” about his experiences in one of those mental hospitals. He also organized the first Society for Mental Hygiene in Connecticut. As the 20th Century progressed, so did the field of mental health.
In 1949, The National Institute of Mental Health was organized, and the first Mental Health Week was promoted locally by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The mental health movement had come a long way since the mid 1800’s when Dorothea Dix had devoted her life to working for the humane treatment of people with a mental illness.
In 1953, a 300 pound bell was cast partly from the chains and handcuffs formerly used to restrain mental patients and it became the symbol of the National mental health movement. On it is inscribed: “Cast From Shackles Which Bound Them This Bell Shall Ring Out Hope for the Mentally Ill and Victory Over Mental Illness.”
In Lebanon County, 1954 was an important year for our own local mental health movement. A hard working, dedicated group of people organized the Lebanon County Mental Health Association. They convinced the mayor of the city of Lebanon, Fritz Miller, to declare May 2-8, 1954 “Mental Health Week.” On May 11, 1954, the first mental health Association dinner meeting was held at the Masonic Hall. Over 200 people attended, indicating their strong interest in mental health issues.
The committee had grown out of a 1953 study done by the Lebanon County Medical Society which found some disturbing deficiencies in the county in the field of mental health: 1) Lebanon County had no psychiatrist; 2) we had only one psychologist in all the school districts; 3) emotionally disturbed people were detained in jail overnight because our local hospital would not admit them; 4) mentally ill children were being hidden in attics; 5) the closest mental hospital was both understaffed and overcrowded; 5) and there was a bitter opposition to the construction of a private mental hospital (Philhaven Hospital).
The Lebanon County Mental Health Association (LCMHA) elected Edith Krohn its first Executive Secretary and the Reverend Harold Hollingsworth became chairman of the board. The Association goals were:
The first two projects worked directly toward these goals. The drama department of the Lebanon Woman’s Club was contacted and they agreed to produce and direct two plays dealing with mental health issues. In November of 1954, “Scattered Showers” and “And You Never Know” premiered to great reviews with many more requests for the plays were received than anticipated.
The MHA’s second project was the initiation of a visitation program to Wernersville State Hospital. The Lebanon Mrs. Jaycees organized these monthly visits, a new and very welcomed idea by Wernersville hospital. Other local organizations also participated.
By 1956 a need for more funds developed. L.E. Meyer chaired this effort to raise over $5,000.00. The money was used for two main projects – bringing psychiatric care to Lebanon County and starting a sheltered workshop in the area.
As the organization grew, greater community needs became apparent and 1957 began several new changes. The LCMHA became a Community Chest Agency, the first new organization accepted since 1948. In the same year Mrs. Clarence Yocum was hired as a secretary on a part-time basis at “$.75 per hour when her services are needed.”
1957 also saw the opening of Friendship House, a place where people returning from mental hospitals could go for support and friendship. This began as a weekly gathering at the local YMCA and eventually evolved into the Halcyon Activity Center currently at South 8th Street.
The Lebanon County Mental Health Association organized a Community Planning Conference on Mental Health held on February 27, 1957. Requested by PA Governor Leader, the association analyzed current programs and facilities and evaluated both immediate and projected needs.
By 1959 the LCMHA brought together interested people to discuss initiating a sheltered workshop for people with mental retardation. Slowly, but steadily, the idea grew into Lebanon County Workshop (known today as QUEST).
Concerned about the lack of psychiatric care in Lebanon, the LCMHA brought Dr. Abraham Hostetter, our first psychiatrist, to Lebanon in 1964.
By spring of 1964, as the agency grew and increased activities, it became obvious that volunteers could not handle community needs, even with the part-time secretary, and Jean Dohner was appointed the part-time Director at a salary of $1,500.00 per year. At the same time, the office moved from the second floor of the Sheltered Workshop at 4ht and Willow Streets to rooms shared with Family and Children’s Services Agency at 10th and Willow Streets.
Virginia West became the second Executive Director. The agency’s major initiative that year was establishing the Halcyon Activity Center for social and recreational activities. Virginia West served as the Executive Director for both organizations until 1971, when Halcyon became a separate agency under her leadership.
In March 9, 1967, the agency was officially incorporated as “The Lebanon County Mental Health Association” with the following stated goals:
1967 also brought the beginnings of major changes in the mental health field. County governments were federally mandated under the 1966 Mental Health Act to provide services through a county Mental Health/Mental Retardation agency. Both the state and federal government were becoming more and more involved with mental health; however, it took Lebanon County a full 10 years to have a full-time operating MH/MR agency.
In May 1972, Virginia West retired as the Mental Health director to become full-time director of Halcyon. Francene Gates was hired as the MHA Executive Director and guided the agency for the next 21 years.
In July of 1974 the agency moved to 136 N. 9th Street. Prevention of mental illness and education about it became top priorities. Francene began an education effort speaking to many organizations. Cooperation with other agencies, programs and workshops on a variety of subjects from parenting, to helping the police deal with mental patients was also a priority.
The 1980’s saw a continuation of expanding prevention and education programs. Programs were held at the local jail, at Cedar Haven, at schools, and at hospitals. Whenever there was a request, the Mental Health Association responded. Stress management, assertiveness, self-esteem, communication skills, all were areas covered. A week-long camp for socially and emotionally disturbed children, called Camp Serendipity, was also begun. Support groups were formed and Wernersville State Hospital continued to be supported. Advocacy became an important part of the program.
In May of 1993, Francene Gates retired and Judy Feather, a former high school guidance counselor, was hired as the MHA’s fifth Executive Director.
Under Feather’s six year tenure, Intergen, a program of companionship matching Vo-tech seniors with elderly living social isolation was begun as well as Parents Anonymous, a grass roots support organization for parents who believe they may be in danger of hurting their children.
The number of educational programs presented in the community was greatly expanded. Community presence was also a top priority. Feather was on the CASSP Advisory Board, Homeless Coalition, Teen Pregnancy, Interagency Mental Health Council, Task Force #1 and #3 of the Community Health Council, the Lebanon Collaborative Network and the Human Services Agency Council, frequently serving as secretary. Feather also updated the office adding a fax machine and computer and printer.
In 1996 the Board of Directors voted to change the Executive Director’s position, at Feather’s request, from full-time to part-time. (40 hours reduced to 20). The following year, 1997, the MHA of Lebanon County became an affiliate of the National Mental Health Association.
Janet R. Frick, a former social worker, community-based family therapist and high school counselor for an alternative high school, replaced Judy Feather in June, 1999. During Frick’s first six years, the Consumer/Family satisfaction Team came under her directory, support groups for prevention and wellness, anger management, family members and survivors of suicide were added, a quarterly Wellness Newsletter was begun as well as a weekly health flyer for seniors.
Systemic advocacy became a priority as well as consumer advocacy. Frick was appointed to the OMHSAS State Mental Health Planning Council, the State Task Force on Suicide Prevention and the State Elderly Committee Initiative. Locally, she served on the Board of the Chamber Leadership Program and the County Human Services Board.
The agency moved its office to 15 South 9th Street on August of 2008.
Janet retired on December 31, 2009, and Shem H. Heller, former Director of Mental Health Services at MH/MR/EI took the leadership of the agency.