Series GR-0542 - Mental Health Services Director's administrative records

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Mental Health Services Director's administrative records

General material designation

  • textual record
  • graphic material
  • architectural drawing
  • multiple media

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents of the series.

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Series

Reference code

GR-0542

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Date(s)

  • 1907-1961 (Creation)
    Creator
    British Columbia. Mental Health Services

Physical description area

Physical description

4 m of textual records and 3 architectural plans

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1950-1967; 1980-)

Biographical history

The provision of mental health services had its beginning in October 1872 when the Royal Hospital in Victoria was designated as the first Provincial Asylum under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Secretary.

On April 1, 1950 the British Columbia Mental Health Service was formally established and various mental health activities were amalgamated including New Westminster Hospital (which became Woodlands School), Colquitz Provincial Mental Hospital for the Criminally Insane (in Victoria), Essondale (including Crease clinic) and the Home for the Aged (in Coquitlam, Vernon and Terrace).

In 1959, Mental Health Services was transferred to the Dept. of Health Services and Hospital Insurance. The name was changed in 1967 to Mental Health Branch and changed again in 1975 to Mental Health Programs. The name reverted to Mental Health Services in 1980.

Between 1959 and 1968 the positions of Director and Deputy Minister were held by the same person. In 1968 the positions were separated, with Dr. H.W. Bridge as the Director of Mental Health Services, located in Vancouver, and Dr. F.G. Tucker as the Deputy Minister, located in Victoria. In September 1971 the position of Director was terminated. The statutory obligations of the Director were assumed by the Deputy Minister.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The series consists of the administrative files of the Director of Mental Health Services. The bulk of the records are general correspondence, monthly reports (i.e. statistical summaries) and project files relating to the administration of the province's mental health care facilities.

Most of the files consist of Dr. Crease's general administrative files, however, many of the files predate Dr. Crease's administration (1926-1950) and some extend as far back as 1907. General correspondence is filed chronologically, while project files are maintained by subject. Included in the subject files is a series of correspondence from the C.C.F. leader Ernest Winch (MLA for Burnaby) who took a special interest in the provision of Mental Health Services.

Also included in this series are "monthly reports" - statistical summaries - pertaining to the operations of provincial mental health facilities and three architectural drawings (re-accessioned as M889129).

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Transferred to the Provincial Archives by the Mental Health Branch, 1972.

Arrangement

3 photographs and 3 architectural plans were removed from the files in 1989 and re-accessioned in the Visual Records and Map units. The photograph were refiled within their original files (box 3, file 2 and box 12, file 2) in 2018.

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Script of material

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Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

These records are restricted. Please contact the BC Archives for information about access.

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Accruals

General note

Accession number(s): GR-0542; 198602-002; M889129

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