"Social Class and Mental Illness" by A. B. Hollingshead and F. C. Redlich is a report from a large-scale research project conducted by social scientists and psychiatrists. The study examined the relationship between social classes and mental illness among individuals receiving psychiatric treatment in New Haven, Connecticut, over a six-month period in 1950. The research is meticulously conducted with full statistical control. While the findings may not be directly applicable to other regions, they offer valuable insights for those interested in mental health in the United States. The book categorizes patients based on occupation, education, and home address. It notes that the social and cultural stratification in New Haven is more rigid than in an English county. The distinction between psychotherapists and psychiatrists is also more pronounced here. The book not only describes the types of mental illness in different classes but also examines the treatments received and their costs. It highlights that psychoanalysis is primarily available to those who can afford it and is used for various conditions, including psychotic and neurotic disorders. ECT is the only treatment for affective disorders that is the same regardless of social class, suggesting it has clear therapeutic success. The authors also note that the lack of analytical psychotherapy for lower-class patients may be due to cultural differences rather than financial constraints. Classical psychotherapy is suitable only for a small minority. The book identifies many challenges in applying new psychiatric knowledge to society. Despite its numerous tables and statistics, the book is highly readable and should be widely studied. D. A. Pond"Social Class and Mental Illness" by A. B. Hollingshead and F. C. Redlich is a report from a large-scale research project conducted by social scientists and psychiatrists. The study examined the relationship between social classes and mental illness among individuals receiving psychiatric treatment in New Haven, Connecticut, over a six-month period in 1950. The research is meticulously conducted with full statistical control. While the findings may not be directly applicable to other regions, they offer valuable insights for those interested in mental health in the United States. The book categorizes patients based on occupation, education, and home address. It notes that the social and cultural stratification in New Haven is more rigid than in an English county. The distinction between psychotherapists and psychiatrists is also more pronounced here. The book not only describes the types of mental illness in different classes but also examines the treatments received and their costs. It highlights that psychoanalysis is primarily available to those who can afford it and is used for various conditions, including psychotic and neurotic disorders. ECT is the only treatment for affective disorders that is the same regardless of social class, suggesting it has clear therapeutic success. The authors also note that the lack of analytical psychotherapy for lower-class patients may be due to cultural differences rather than financial constraints. Classical psychotherapy is suitable only for a small minority. The book identifies many challenges in applying new psychiatric knowledge to society. Despite its numerous tables and statistics, the book is highly readable and should be widely studied. D. A. Pond