On December 8, 1939, 35 patients, neurotics and psychotics, met in “Sunnyside House” and formed a social club. The chair at the meeting was taken by a patient. We had previously met this patient with a few others, and explained to them the aim we had in view in proposing that they formed a club. Later this aim was expressed in the following paragraph which is taken from an article written for the first magazine of the Club :“We find there are two main problems common to many who come to a modern mental hospital—the problem of ‘occupation’ and the problem of 'social relationship,’ that is, the relationship between the ‘I’ and the ‘ you.’ It was with the importance of the latter problem in mind that we suggested the establishment of a social club… . The satisfaction of successful co-operation is one of the surest foundations for happiness and inner security. Many of us here are lonely souls who have walled ourselves off to some extent from the society of our fellows. For one reason or another we have avoided the social impact and retreated into solitude and isolation. We have thus deprived ourselves of the possibility of co-operative activity and of the sense of security and fulfilment that this can bring. The Sunny Side Club will enable us to take the first few steps in the direction of fuller social co-operation by giving us the opportunity of working together on its various committees or of joining in its activities.”
