Years ago, as a young man growing up in these united States, I remember that there were special facilities for those among us with mental and/or psychological problems, where they could be confined, and cared for, while they were receiving treatment for their condition. These were known as “Mental Institutions” or “Insane Asylums” and they served a true service to those with “special needs”. Then as we “advanced” in to the more “civil society” we were becoming in the 1970s and 80s, those men in positions of power and responsibility, decided these facilities were truly cruel and inhumane in their treatment of the people who were sent there. So, the mission was on to eliminate these kinds of facilities and work to “mainstream” the inmates into “normal life” and treat them “equally”. What could possibly go wrong with this plan? I have to say that to me, this was an early signal, that the National Government plan was to “dumb down” the populace, and our Country.
Now, don’t think we’re blind to what was going on in some of these facilities. We’re not. There is no question there were instances, and incidents, of abuse and neglect of some in these facilities. We understand there were people who were “railroaded” into these facilities, not for the good of the inmate, but to get them out of the way of people who were around them. Sadly, in too many cases, these facilities were used as isolation camps, rather than treatment facilities. And there are many stories of the inmates being abused by the staff of these facilities. But, does anybody believe that the elimination of these facilities has been beneficial to our Society in general? No? Well, we don’t either.
As we’re now dealing with many of these same “special” people, out in the general community, we’re seeing more and more issues that need to be addressed. There are many different reasons that, back in the day, people were committed or enrolled in these facilities. They were there both to protect themselves from themselves, and to protect the general population from them. They were also committed to have the opportunity to receive the treatment(s) that could allow them to be returned to a positive place in society. I believe what we have done with the elimination of these facilities has had very bad returns on this decision.
I believe the proper thing to do, for both the “mentally troubled” and the rest of society, is to realize we have an obligation to do the best we can for both. We should have learned by now, that our approach to working with the mentally troubled, has radically, and negatively, effected the rest (vast majority) of society. The problem in “mental institutions” (insane asylums) facilities in the past, was how we operated them, not that they existed. We should have now learned that the societal cost of the “mentally troubled” living out in the general population, on the society, is “unsustainable”. And we should have also learned how to operate these necessary facilities humanely and correctly. The discussion on this subject, I believe, is just beginning. We The People need to have this conversation soon, for the good of all who live here!
God Bless America! And America PLEASE Bless God Again!!
1 Comment
Yep. There is never, in any facility, public or private, an excuse for abusing people housed or receiving treatment there, but there is also no excuse for cutting people loose on society who are imminent dangers and threaten the well-being or peace of others. Discernment is, of course, critical, and much review is required before decisions about housing or ‘separating’ folks from mainstream society, for a time at least, but some cases are clearly easier to decide then others. We don’t want Nurse Ratched in charge but we also don’t want people on subway platforms pushing other people in front of trains?! Find the balance.