Published In:
Ann Arbor News, February 27, 1937
Caption:
Busy Hands Distract Sick Minds - This is not a church "sewing circle," but a session of an occupational therapy class in a state hospital. Patients sew, knit, crochet, and do fancy work. They make many articles for their own use and for the use of others in the hospital. Occupation that diverts and stimulates the minds of patients is curative in its effects. The Curtains and ornaments of the room are the work of patients. Such work not only has a beneficial effect and helps while away the long hours of necessary hospitalization, but also furthers the productive ability of patients looking toward the time when they are sufficiently recovered to return to their homes and society.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 8, 1937
Caption:
Physical Therapy Helps - Following the ancient adage that sound bodies make sound minds attention is paid in Michigan state hospitals to building up the physical condition of patients. That is why gymnasia are desired equipment. Gymnastics, calisthenics, and games are included in the body-building programs where facilities and personnel are available.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, March 3, 1937
Caption:
Adequate Receiving Hospitals Mean Early Cures: All Michigan mental hospitals are seeking adequate receiving hospitals. Such departments where newly admitted patients may be studied and given the physical or psychiatric attention their conditions demand are essential aids in the curing of curable mental ailments -- and a large share of cases are curable. In a well equipped receiving hospital of ample size, a patient is given the intensive attention he or she might receive in a general hospital if suffering from organic trouble. Special efforts are made at correct diagnosis and prompt application of proper treatments. Most cures are effected in the months immediately after hospitalization, particularly when patients are brought in soon after their disorders become manifest. This room in a newer receiving ward among Michigan state hospitals is as cheering as a room in a general hospital might be. And the patient is apparently well on the way toward recovery. Note the type of window used in a modern mental hospital. Each of the individual steel sashes opens only a few inches.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, February 23, 1937
Caption:
Steps On Way Back To Normalcy - Left to themselves, sufferers from certain forms of mind illness reverse the usual form of mental development and go backward until they have less than the understanding of babes, less than the ability of babes to care for their needs. Through the curative effects of occupational therapy it has been found possible in many cases to arrest this deterioration, to turn the mental process around again toward the light and away from the dark. Patients sometimes have to start at the beginning, having their hands guided in simple tasks, as a child is guided. Note how the therapist in the picture is guiding the hand of the patient in a weaving operation. As the mental therapy treatment develops and as the patient becomes more interested, more awakened he may regain self confidence and recover productive ability to such an extent that he may be able to do useful work about the institution or return to society.

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, February 23, 1937
Caption:
Dancing Is Mental Medicine - Sick minds seek alluring but unsafe refuge in miasmatic dream worlds. The great curative effort in all state hospitals is to draw them back to the world of reality by wholesome, normal interest. Recreational therapy uses various forms of diversions, entertainment, and play to attain this end. Here is a class at Ypsilanti State hospital employing dancing as a means of regaining mental health. Art work has concealed the identities of the patients.