A Short History of Mental Health

Psychiatry

The Relationship Between Social Class and Mental Health

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on November 6, 2025

A 1950s study of social class and mental illness in New Haven changed the way people thought about mental health.

A 1950s study of social class and mental illness in New Haven changed the way people thought about mental health.

ADHD debates are getting increasingly polarized. The history of ADHD, however, can help inform these debates, leading to more nuanced understandings of this complex condition.

Psychiatry

Is Rural Living Better for Mental Health?

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on April 10, 2025

Does being a rural mouse give you a better chance of having good mental health than being a city mouse?

Does being a rural mouse give you a better chance of having good mental health than being a city mouse?

Social Life

Mad in the Metropolis: Is City Living Bad for Mental Health?

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on January 8, 2025

Scholars debated whether cities were good or bad for mental health throughout the twentieth century. What did they find?

Scholars debated whether cities were good or bad for mental health throughout the twentieth century. What did they find?

Psychiatry

The Sunny Side of the Asylum

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on September 5, 2024

One of the most important mental health reformers of the asylum era, this woman helped extend Enlightenment thinking to mental health, yet you've probably never heard of her.

One of the most important mental health reformers of the asylum era, this woman helped extend Enlightenment thinking to mental health, yet you've probably never heard of her.

Psychiatry

Asylum History From the Bottom Up

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on May 19, 2024

How to find the perspectives of patients in historical asylums? It's a little like looking for a needle in a haystack.

How to find the perspectives of patients in historical asylums? It's a little like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Diet

How a Corn-Based Diet Led to Mental Illness

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on January 29, 2024

How could corn cause mental illness? The history of the disease pellagra could help us better understand the link between diet and mental health.

How could corn cause mental illness? The history of the disease pellagra could help us better understand the link between diet and mental health.

Environment

Is Urban Living Bad for Your Mental Health?

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on October 13, 2023

What makes cities good or bad for mental health?

What makes cities good or bad for mental health?

Psychiatry

Hydrotherapy in a Prairie Asylum

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on July 14, 2023

Hydrotherapy was used in many asylums, including those in remote locations. But was this practice a form of treatment or punishment?

Hydrotherapy was used in many asylums, including those in remote locations. But was this practice a form of treatment or punishment?

Environment

The Chicago School and Mental Health

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on March 14, 2023

Where did psychiatric epidemiology evolve? Look to the Windy City.

Where did psychiatric epidemiology evolve? Look to the Windy City.

Health

Why We Should Prioritize Preventive Approaches to Mental Health

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on November 25, 2022

What should be our " first resort" when it comes to mental health?

What should be our " first resort" when it comes to mental health?

Health

Song and Sanity: Music as Treatment in 19th-Century Asylums

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on June 13, 2022

Can music be good for mental health? They thought so in the 19th century.

Can music be good for mental health? They thought so in the 19th century.

Psychiatry

Psychosurgery and Mental Illness

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on March 9, 2022

Why did psychosurgery become so popular during the middle of the 20th century?

Why did psychosurgery become so popular during the middle of the 20th century?

Environment

Consumption, Climate Change, and Mental Health

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on November 12, 2021

Could we curb our consumption to help the planet? Would it improve our mental health?

Could we curb our consumption to help the planet? Would it improve our mental health?

Health

Can Nature Boost Mental Health?

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on May 21, 2021

The history of a long-forgotten psychiatric disorder known as "neurasthenia" suggests it can.

The history of a long-forgotten psychiatric disorder known as "neurasthenia" suggests it can.

Career

Stories of Financial Insecurity and Mental Health

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on February 18, 2021

Has financial insecurity ever affected your mental health?

Has financial insecurity ever affected your mental health?

Health

World War II and Mental Health

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on November 17, 2020

The Second World War changed the way we see mental health. Will COVID-19 do the same?

The Second World War changed the way we see mental health. Will COVID-19 do the same?

Loneliness

Social Isolation and COVID-19

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on August 19, 2020

What can the history of social psychiatry tell us about social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic?

What can the history of social psychiatry tell us about social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic?

ADHD

The Nervous Child

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on May 12, 2020

What kind of kids concerned child experts before ADHD? The opposite type of kid.

What kind of kids concerned child experts before ADHD? The opposite type of kid.

Health

Mental Health Crises for Ph.D. Students?

Matthew Smith Ph.D. on February 11, 2020

How can we prevent student mental health problems? Could a different attitude and plan help?

How can we prevent student mental health problems? Could a different attitude and plan help?