Modern Day Developments

Mental Healthcare today

In the late 20th century, cruel and bizarre treatment forms like the lobotomy were abolished and deemed unsuccessful. As we’ve entered the 21st century, the overall treatment and conditions of mental hospitals have gotten better. This includes less punishment related treatment and better funding towards hospitals. However it’s still important to note that mentally ill people still face prejudice and there’s always room for growth in the way we view things.

“Deinstitutionalization was really transinstitutionalization, and we have thus come full circle to the problem Dix faced in the 1800s. Once again, humane and effective solutions for the long-term care of people with serious mental illness are needed. There are mistakes to learn from, but with many people lacking access to treatment despite advances in it, perhaps it is time to get it right” (Nelson).

Letter from Dorothea

This image shows a letter from Dorothea Dix in 1850 to the president at the time being held by a mental health doctor in 1969. This is an important image because it demonstrates how even in more modern times we still recognize the significant things Dorothea did for the mentally ill community.

DIX LETTER, 1850. A letter from Dorothea Dix to President Millard Fillmore in 1850, held by Dr. Charles Snyder, 1969, Britannica Imagequest.

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