Mental Health Association of Connecticut Celebrates a Century of Advocating and Working for Everyone's Mental Health

This past May marked an incredible milestone for the mental health movement, as the Mental Health Association of Connecticut – the first and oldest of Mental Health America’s affiliates – celebrated its 100th anniversary. The organization, founded in 1908 by Clifford W. Beers, celebrated its past and looked towards the future during a reception and dinner in Hartford on May 6.

MHAC has achieved a lot since the early days of mental health treatment when asylums would often restrain people with mental illnesses in iron shackles. During its 100 years, MHAC led the shift from inpatient hospitalization to community mental health services, with the closing of two of the largest state hospitals. It successfully lobbied for the Patient’s Bill of Rights in the early 1970s and helped Connecticut become one of the first states to enact full insurance parity for mental health and substance use conditions in the late 1990s.

MHAC remains an integral part of the community today. The organization serves more than 700 people with severe, persistent mental illnesses through its residential and vocational support and psychosocial services. It conducts workshops and support groups, educational programs for elementary, middle and high school students and advocates for increased access and better mental health services. MHAC is now working to expand its outreach to the older adult population.

The centennial event gathered 250 guests for a reception and dinner, followed by speeches from Caroline Spiro, M.D., and Pamela Wagner, authors of “Divided Minds,” and Governor M. Jodi Rell, a member of the Centennial Honorary Committee. MHAC also recognized one of its most influential leaders, President and CEO Beverly Walton. Beginning as an unpaid legislative liaison with no experience in mental health, Walton quickly rose to Director of Public Affairs, where she led the move from inpatient to community-based services, and assumed her current leadership role in 1978.

“I’m very proud to run the oldest Mental Health Association,” Walton said. “When I started, we were a $150,000 corporation and now we’re over $9 million. If money speaks, that’s quite an accomplishment.”

Learn more about MHAC and its 100 years at www.mhact.org.