New York State Department of Mental Hygiene Patient Cartoons

This series consists of 114 cartoons drawn by a patient at Middletown State Hospital in the late 1950s and early 1960s, depicting life at the hospital from the patient's perspective. The patient was assigned to a continued care, community-centered program at Middletown. Performed in pencil, the cartoons provide a valuable and unusual insight towards life at the hospital at the time. They include reactions to major changes, such as women being permitted in men's wards. Also included are clinical notes pertaining to the patient.

Use photocopies are available for research in first folder of box. The patient's name has been redacted from these use copies.

Use photocopies are disclosable, as the patient's name has been redacted. However, clinical notes and the original cartoons found in the series are restricted in accordance with Section 33.13, Mental Hygiene Law, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access permitted under certain conditions upon application to and approval by the Office of Mental Health.