Clifford Whittingham Beers (March 30, 1876 – July 9, 1943) was the founder of the American mental hygiene movement.
His book A Mind That Found Itself (1908), an autobiographical account of his hospitalization and the abuses he suffered, was widely and favorably reviewed, became a bestseller, and is still in print.
[1] Beers gained the support of the medical profession and others in the work to reform the treatment of the mentally ill.
[citation needed] Beers became Honorary President of the World Federation for Mental Health.[when?
The Extra Mile pays homage to Americans like Beers who set their own self-interest aside to help others and successfully brought positive social change to the United States.