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Department Changes Name

Following a thorough self-evaluation, the Department of Mental Hygiene quietly changed its name to the Department of Mental Health. The change was made at the request of faculty, who felt the new name would better convey the department’s mission and programs. Their recommendation was approved by the School’’s Advisory Board, effective November 21, 2002.

"The name 'Mental Hygiene' has a strong intellectual and traditional meaning, which is very close to our faculty and alumni. It embodied the ideals we hold of public health and research on mental and behavioral disorders," said William Eaton, PhD, professor and interim chair of the Department. "But in today's world, hygiene doesn’t have the same meaning with the public and our name was confusing to some." Dr. Eaton says the faculty and alumni suggested dozens of names, but Mental Health was the one most agreed upon. He says the other top contender was "Public Mental Health."

Despite the name change, the department’’s mission remains the same: to advance understanding of the occurrence, causes, and consequences of mental health and mental and behavioral disorders, in order to improve health in the general population. The focus of the mission is the prevention and control of these mental disorders and their associated impairments, disabilities, and handicaps.

Alfred Sommer, MD, MHS '73, dean of the School said, "The Department of Mental Hygiene has a long and distinguished presence in the School and is the only department of public mental health in the world. It will continue to provide unique contributions to the School of Public Health’s research and educational programs."

The concept of mental hygiene originated with Adolph Meyer (1866-1950), MD, Johns Hopkins psychiatrist-in-chief from 1910 to 1941. He believed people with mental and behavioral disturbances should be treated humanely and as unique individuals in a social context, without departing from general principles of medicine and public health. The first course in Mental Hygiene was offered at the School in 1941, but the Department was not officially formed until 20 years later under the direction of Paul Lemkau, MD. Since then, the Department has made remarkable contributions to the study, prevention, and control of mental disorders.

The Department will formally celebrate its new name later this year with a distinguished lecture series. To retain the memory of its origins, the department plans to renovate its Hampton House conference room and name it the "Mental Hygiene Conference Room."