State mental institutions were widely viewed as snake pits, and the increasing use of drug treatments was seen as a panacea. State institutions were supposed to be replaced in part by community facilities. Increasing numbers of people found to be mentally ill, along with problems in funding those institutions, were also drivers of change.
In 1967, California governor Ronald Reagan began instituting widely recommended policy changes, and some other states followed. The discharge of mental patients was accelerated in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a result of a series of court decisions that limited the commitment powers of state and local officials.
But community facilities were absent or poorly funded, and people were let out that should not have been. It was an overreaction followed by inaction, and now ER's are one of the few places for many to get the treatment they need.
CNN Article, ERs 'flooded' with mentally ill patients with no place else to turn
From a New York Times 1984 article, HOW RELEASE OF MENTAL PATIENTS BEGAN
In 1967, California governor Ronald Reagan began instituting widely recommended policy changes, and some other states followed. The discharge of mental patients was accelerated in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a result of a series of court decisions that limited the commitment powers of state and local officials.
But community facilities were absent or poorly funded, and people were let out that should not have been. It was an overreaction followed by inaction, and now ER's are one of the few places for many to get the treatment they need.
CNN Article, ERs 'flooded' with mentally ill patients with no place else to turn
From a New York Times 1984 article, HOW RELEASE OF MENTAL PATIENTS BEGAN
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