Episode 62: Evolution of Psychiatry & The Menninger Clinic with Dr. Walter Menninger

Mind Dive

The story of the Menninger Clinic is rooted in the history of psychiatry in the United States. To start the new year, we have our very own Dr. Walter Menninger on the podcast to share the hidden history of the Menninger Clinic. Drawing inspiration from his memoir, “Like What You Do,” Dr. Menninger shares anecdotes from his forensic psychiatry career and how Menninger Clinic faced the challenges of psychiatry in the 20th century. Dr. Menninger reflects on the institutional changes Menninger has made throughout the decades to elevate itself from other providers and cement its place as a national leader in mental healthcare.

Dr. Walter Menninger, M.D., served as the dean of the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and Mental Health Science and served as the CEO of the Menninger Clinic before his retirement in 2001. Dr. Menninger’s specialty in the field of forensic psychiatry led him to serve on numerous boards and committees across the U.S. to reform prisoners and prison mental healthcare as well as inform law enforcement procedures at the state and federal levels for violence prevention. Dr. Menninger authored a national column on psychiatry and served as editor of Psychiatry Digest. His latest book, “Like What You Do,” reflects on his personal career as well as the legacy of being the third generation of the Menninger family.

“It’s hard for a free fish to understand what is happening to a hooked one,” Dr. Menninger remarked. “Empathy is crucial for successful treatment and what my father and brother centered the Menninger Clinic mission around.”

Learn more about Dr. Menninger and his legacy as a mental health leader in this special Mind Dive conversation.

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Visit The Menninger Clinic website to learn more about The Menninger Clinic’s research and leadership role in mental health.

Chapters

1. Episode 62: Evolution of Psychiatry & The Menninger Clinic with Dr. Walter Menninger (00:00:00)

2. Exploring the Menninger Clinic Legacy (00:00:02)

3. Exploring Mental Health Education and Community (00:19:20)

4. Mental Health Clinicians Professional Experiences (00:31:23)