Mental Illness: Prison And Asylum Reform

“Many cultures have viewed mental illness as a form of religious punishment or demonic possession. In ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, and Roman writings, mental illness was categorized as a religious or personal problem (“"Mental Health Hospitals and Deinstitutionalization”).” This quote shows that even in the ancient civilizations, people viewed mentally ill people as being “possessed” but really it was the lack of understanding and religious fervor that led to this conclusion. Some of the treatments they used were, “Priests often solaced mentally disturbed individuals by encouraging them to repent their sins and seek refuge in God’s mercy (Foerschner, par. 2).” They would make them go to church regularly, and go on holy pilgrimages to

She spoke in front of an all-male audience saying, “I came as the advocate of the helpless, forgotten, insane, men and women held in cages, cellars, stalls, and pens! Chained, naked, beaten with rods, and lashed into obedience! (“Prison and Asylum Reform”)” She went on the platform in front of the Massachusetts Legislature, in 1841, though the audience didn’t think much of Dorothea, until she began to describe the living conditions of the mentally ill and how they were treated. She was able to gather evidence to support her case by going to prisons, workhouses, almshouses, and private homes, to show they appalling abuse (“Prison and Asylum Reform”). She not only helped establish five hospitals but also pleaded humans rights to Queen Victoria and the

There are a variety of professionals who can help like psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and much more. Though people can either go to a private practice or community or county mental health care center. The private practice is when a person has therapy in a variety of settings, the most common setting having the session in the private office, though they can also be held at the patient's house and meetings vary depending on the person. While the community or county mental health center services is provided when getting a referral from a doctor or therapist, is not possible. They are operated by the local government so people who have Social Security disability benefits, or Medicaid fund their treatment needs. Mental health centers often have emergency walk-in services or a mobile crisis unit with clinical staff table make an on-site evaluation of a person's condition. The purpose of both is to de escalate, stabilize the individual and determine the next