Lafargue Clinic

St. Philip's Church 204 West 134th Street

Lafargue Clinic

The Lafargue Clinic was a notable mental health clinic located in Harlem, New York City. It was established in 1946 by a group of African American intellectuals and healthcare professionals, including the renowned writer Richard Wright and the psychiatrist Fredric Wertham. The clinic was named after the French Marxist intellectual Paul Lafargue, who was also the son-in-law of Karl Marx.

History

The Lafargue Clinic was founded in response to the lack of mental health services available to the African American community in Harlem. At the time, racial segregation and discrimination severely limited access to quality healthcare for African Americans. The clinic aimed to provide free psychiatric care to the underserved population of Harlem, addressing both mental health issues and the social conditions contributing to them.

Founders

The clinic's founding members included:

• Richard Wright - A prominent African American writer known for his works such as Native Son and Black Boy.
• Fredric Wertham - A psychiatrist who later became famous for his criticism of comic books in his book Seduction of the Innocent.
• Ralph Ellison - Another influential African American writer, best known for his novel Invisible Man.

Mission and Services

The Lafargue Clinic's mission was to provide accessible mental health care to the African American community in Harlem. The clinic offered a range of services, including:

• Psychiatric evaluations
• Individual and group therapy
• Community outreach programs
• Educational workshops on mental health

Impact and Legacy

The Lafargue Clinic played a crucial role in highlighting the importance of mental health care in underserved communities. It also brought attention to the social determinants of mental health, such as poverty, racism, and lack of access to education and employment opportunities. The clinic's work laid the groundwork for future community-based mental health initiatives and contributed to the broader civil rights movement.

Closure

Despite its significant contributions, the Lafargue Clinic faced financial difficulties and eventually closed in the early 1950s. However, its legacy continues to influence mental health care practices and policies aimed at addressing health disparities in marginalized communities.

Related Pages

• Harlem
• Richard Wright (author)
• Fredric Wertham
• Ralph Ellison
• Mental health
• Civil rights movement
• Social determinants of health