04/22/2024
*This post includes topics about mental health and a mention abuse*
May is Mental Health Month. People have struggled with mental health throughout history, but it is just now starting to be understood.
In our probate collection, we come across many insane inquiries. A jury would deem people sane or insane and incapable of managing their affairs. Many of these people were very old (possibly had Alzheimer's), alcoholics, women, and people with disabilities. More times than not, they were not actually insane or what we consider insane today.
Elma Edwards, in 1919 was accused of being insane by her husband Charles R Edward. The couple was married in 1895. It is hard to say why Charles took action to the court. Elma's daughters say that their mother is not permanently insane but suffering from "a temporary mental aberration, brought on by systematic and continued abuse on the part of said C. R. Edwards (husband); which mental condition may respond to and be cured by rest and proper medical treatment."
It is possible that the couple may have just gotten in a fight, and Elma had a fit of rage for a moment, and thus this prompted Charles to take action. Or Elma could have been suffering from a mental illness that was not understood during her time by her or anyone else including her husband.
Whatever the cause of this action may have been, her 23 and 20-year-old daughters had to come to their mother's defense and explain that their mother was, in fact, not insane but possibly suffering from a mental health issue(s) brought on by abuse. Elma did stay with her husband Charles until her death in 1932.
Elma was known as sweet, gracious, and unassuming. She was devoted to her home and family, and her greatest happiness was serving those she loved.
Did Elma suffer from a mental health issue? It is hard to say, but regardless many of those suffering did not get the treatment they needed. Today there is much more treatment than there was in 1919. We hope that if you are suffering with your own mental health, that you take action this month because everyone deserves to be happy and better.
