Individuals diagnosed with a mental illness have been a vulnerable population through history. Historical figures such as Dorothea Dix and John F Kennedy advocated for change and reform within the programs for mental health. There has been significant changes to policies for this population throughout history. One policy, Kendra’s Law, is for court ordered treatment for individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness. Until the 1820s, families took care of their relatives who had a mental illness. Things started to change once towns became large and industrialization was taking place. Facilities such as jails and almshouses were soon developed. Hospitals specifically for mental illness were also developed, but not for treatment. The hospitals mostly provided the very basic essentials of life, and not much more. Soon after, “moral treatments” began. It was believed that people could be cured of their mental health problems by being removed from their environment that was believed to be the cause of their illness. They focused on altering their behavior to conform to social norms (Lightner, 1996). These treatments did not prove to be effective and soon the hospitals became overcrowded. In the 1800s, Dorothea Dix was an advocate for the mental health population. She traveled across the United States visiting people who were in jails, poorhouses, as well as barns and was horrified by the conditions in which these people lived. (Smark, 2008). Dix documented all of the conditions she saw throughout her research. She then presented this information to legislators and advocated for the reform and moral treatment of these individuals. She was successful in helping to obtain funding for over one hundred state hospitals. In the e... ... middle of paper ... ...t that the language within Kendra’s Law does not mention an individual’s right to refuse treatment in it at all. Campbell also demonstrates how the language in the bill can be ambiguous with terms such as “unlikely to survive safely”. The use of these terms make an assessment of a person’s abilities incredibly subjective. The subjectivity as well as the already present stigma towards anyone with a mental health diagnoses can easily pose as a threat to those who do not have violent histories being forced into an AOT program. The mental health field has a long history of institutionalization, poor conditions, stigma, and involuntary treatment. Through advocacy, there have been many changes and progress to the systems put in place. However, the reduction of stigma as well as reevaluating current policies in place would help to progress the mental health field further.
Dorothea Lynde Dix was quoted as saying, “In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do.” Dix began at the age of 39, and spent the next 20 years as a social reformer for the treatment of the mentally ill. When asked to teach a Sunday School class at a women’s correctional facility, Dix was appalled at the conditions, as well as the fact that many of the women weren’t criminals, but were instead mentally ill. This is where her crusade began. Her work had immediate results throughout the country, and the changes are still being felt even today.
In the 1800’s people with mental illnesses were frowned upon and weren't treated like human beings. Mental illnesses were claimed to be “demonic possessions” people with mental illnesses were thrown into jail cells, chained to their beds,used for entertainment and even killed. Some were even slaves, they were starved and forced to work in cold or extremely hot weather with chains on their feet. Until 1851, the first state mental hospital was built and there was only one physician on staff responsible for the medical, moral and physical treatment of each inmate. Who had said "Violent hands shall never be laid on a patient, under any provocation.
“The Great Depression was a worldwide economic slump of the 1930’s” (Fetzer; p.338). The Great Depression caused a catastrophic amount of grief and distress for the citizens of the United States. Some of these citizens, however, faced more problems which caused grief and distress than others. Among those citizens were the mentally ill. During the era of the Great Depression, the mentally handicapped were treated unfairly in almost every aspect of their lives; this included how society treated them, how they were treated medically, and even how their personal lives were affected.
Born in 1802, Dorothea Dix played an important role in changing the ways people thought about patients who were mentally-ill and handicapped. These patients had always been cast-off as “being punished by God”. She believed that that people of such standing would do better by being treated with love and caring rather than being put aside. As a social reformer, philanthropist, teacher, writer, writer, nurse, and humanitarian, Dorothea Dix devoted devoted her life to the welfare of the mentally-ill and handicapped. She accomplished many milestones throughout her life and forever changed the way patients are cared for. She was a pioneer in her time, taking on challenges that no other women would dare dream of tackling.
Parker, Laura. "The Right to Be Mentally Ill: Families Lobby to Force Care." USA TODAY. Feb. 12 2001: 1A+. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.
Asylums were thought of as a best place for the mentally ill in the 1900s, but over the years stories of abuses lead people to use drugs and outpatient care instead of sending the insane to asylums. In 1955, nearly 560,000 patients were put in mental hospitals, however, there are now only 35,000 in the twentieth century. There has been a ninety percent decrease in mental health facilities (Campbell 1). In the past, there were no asylums or institutions for the insane to be sent, so they were thrown in jail and were treated as criminals. Dorothea Dix could not stand the unfair treatment and took upon herself to spread mental hospitals around the world. Throughout Dorothea Lynde Dix’s life, she was sedulous to helping people; she built an academy
As time goes on, the law has put more emphasis on facility just like Bridgewater State Hospital in which many of the actions of the facility workers can face legal consequences such as facing prison time, fines, lawsuits, and etc. Society has a better understanding of why certain people act the way that they do and being more knowledgeable about psychology and mental diseases allows us to have a different approach when dealing with these topics or these individuals. In today’s era, there are many normal individuals who are willing to stand up for those who do not have a voice of their own. I believe that this change in one’s ability to stand up for another individual or group of individuals is what brought about change to the medical environment of those who are mentally
Known as an American philanthropist and reformer, Dorothea Dix transformed living conditions in prisons and established institutions for the mentally insane in 20 states, as well as Canada (“DIX”). Through her crusade for fair treatment of the mentally insane, Dorothea Dix exemplifies the ideals of her time – to protect the rights of all human beings, no matter their age, race, or mental capacity.
A young woman by the name of Kendra Webdale was pushed in front of a train in New York City by a homeless person that suffered from a mental illness. The homeless man was not taking his medication at the time of the incident. Shortly after the unfortunate event the Kendra’s Law came into place. The law provides outpatient treatment for certain people with mental illness who are unlikely to survive safely in the community without supervision. The treatment is a written treatment plan prepared by a physician who has examined the individual. The procedure involves a hearing which includes testimony from the examining physician. If the court finds that the person meets the criteria for assisted outpatient treatment, an order is issued to the director of community services. The court orders will require the director to arrange for all services that the court finds necessary. The initial order is for up to 6 months but can be extended for up to one year. The legislation also establishes a procedure for evaluation in cases where the individual fails to comply with the ordered treatment and may pose a risk of harm. Kendra’s Law also ensures that people with mental illness who are transitioning from hospitals or correctional facilities to the community receive necessary psychiatric medications without interruption (Office of Mental Health,
Known locally as a schoolteacher and occasional author, Dorothea Dix helped bring to light the mistreatment of the mentally ill by both government, and society at large. David Gollaher notes, “By personalizing the plight of the insane, Dix moved people empathetically to respond; and where the blame lay with inept or corrupt officials, she did not hesitate to point it out.” (Gollaher, 1993). As a result of her pleadings, significantly improved institutions for the treatment of mental health disorders were established, and those formerly considered “mad” by the general public were afforded more appropriate treatment for their respective conditions. As a voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves, I can recommend Dorothea Dix for a position as a member of our
Like the majority of the world, people in the United States did not support the mental institutions necessary for the insane to be properly cared for. For example, the federal government of the United States wanted no part in funding and supporting these institutions, and left that power to the states. The state governments often times neglected the asylums and would not fund them, leaving the unfunded asylums without resources or money. Dorothea Dix, a reformer of the 1800s, saw what the state and federal governments were doing to these poor mentally ill people and made several movements to improve living conditions and better the funding towards maintenance and treatment in these mental institutions. After she showed the citizens of the United States the torture they were putting the mentally ill through, large protests against the government spread nationwide. The government hea...
Continuing budget cuts on mental health care create negative and detrimental impacts on society due to increased improper care for mentally ill, public violence, and overcrowding in jails and emergency rooms. Origins, of mental health as people know it today, began in 1908. The movement initiated was known as “mental hygiene”, which was defined as referring to all things preserving mental health, including maintaining harmonious relation with others, and to participate in constructive changes in one’s social and physical environment (Bertolote 1). As a result of the current spending cuts approaching mental health care, proper treatment has declined drastically. The expanse of improper care to mentally ill peoples has elevated harmful threats of heightened public violence to society.
Imagine suffering from a mental illness and then being placed in an institution where it seems as though no one really cares about you? You’re neglected and abused on a daily basis and you aren’t receiving the proper treatment to help with your mental illness. For many years, thousands of Americans who suffered from mental illnesses, were placed in mental institutions and left untreated. President John F. Kennedy saw a need for change regarding mental health institutions and in 1963, he signed the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act of 1963. This particular act was supposed to signal changes in the treatment of mental disorders (Murphy & Rigg, 2014).
The community care for mentally ill people was one of the biggest improvements in the development of the NHS. During the Victorian Era the quantity of mentally ill people was alarming; charities, churches and philanthropists were the financial support for people with mental disorders during that period.
Goldstein's case inspired Kendra's law, New York state legislation that allows courts to order involuntary outpatient treatment for anyone with severe mental illness and a mental illness and treatment history suggesting he or she may not be able to live safely within the community without supervision.