Central State Hospital in Norman (1953)

See the full video at archive.org/details/mental-ho...
Shot at the Central State Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma. Made for health professionals, Mental Hospital shows daily life at the state facility, including hydrotherapy and electroconvulsive therapy sessions. The film ends with the patient’s discharge.

[@PapasNarvaez-ln4mg]

Sad. I knew a woman in and out that was subjected to this. Best intentions resulted in worst care. I miss you Amy Lou.

[@chubstuf]

My father was committed here I believe around 1963 when it was called Griffin Memorial. He had slapped his mother when he was 13 because she killed his dog and apparently that was enough of a safety concern for commitment. Before his death several years ago, he was reflecting back on his life and told me that an adult patient whose name he remembered was allowed to sexually assault him while surrounded by multiple staff members who cheered him on. It was awful, to know that on his deathbed, he chose to talk about his experiences here. Also, electroshock therapy was not well regulated nor were the medications and he was often unconscious from one or the other. At times, he didn't wake up for several days and by the time he did, he had gangrene on the back of his butt cheeks and calves due to lack of circulation. It had to be debrided and packed. Once, as a child, I saw him naked and asked him what happened to his bottom and he created an adventurous tale of how he used to be a bullfighter and one of the bulls horned him in the butt. As a grown woman, I can appreciate his attempt at acknowledging my observation and making it an exciting story rather than telling me the horror he suffered. Interestingly, I now work in psychiatry and strongly advocate for patients and their rights. Thank you both for bringing awareness to this tragedy.

[@exploreoklahoma6579]

Thank you for sharing his story. May he rest in peace.

[@PVC777]

Schlimm das es sowas gab. Macht mich sehr Traurig.

[@nofxn40s]

Do you still live in Oklahoma? Its odd having this hospital here in Norman

[@chubstuf]

@@nofxn40s No, I don't. There are hospitals like this in most states, though they are no longer functioning for obvious reasons. It wasn't that this hospital was a horror house on its own, it's just that they weren't regulated anywhere, so they were all awful. I can say now that if I had mental health concerns for myself, I would absolutely, 100% be very comfortable with a psychiatric admission. They have music therapy, pet therapy and are treated very well though I know some have negative experiences and I can't speak for everyone.

[@bobmorris5864]

@@chubstufI’d really like to bounce some questions off you. I had an altercation with a patient there in 1962.