Question

Deinstitutionalization is defined as a "deliberate shift from institutional care in state hospitals to community facilities." The idea was to begin treating those with mental illness in less restrictive environments. Essentially, "deinstitutionalization accomplished the release of individuals from long-term stays in state institutions, the decrease in admissions to hospitals, and the development of community-based services as an alternative to hospital care" (Videbeck, 2014). What do you think about this?

Answer 1

Deinstitutionalization refers to the shift from institutional care to community facilities for the treatment of mental illness. It aimed to provide less restrictive environments but had unintended consequences like contributing to homelessness among the mentally ill.

Step-by-step explanation:

Deinstitutionalization refers to the deliberate shift from institutional care in state hospitals to community facilities for the treatment of individuals with mental illness. This movement aimed to provide less restrictive environments for mental health care and involved releasing individuals from long-term stays in state institutions, decreasing hospital admissions, and developing community-based services as an alternative to hospital care.

One example of the impact of deinstitutionalization is the homeless crisis in the United States. The closure of state-run mental health facilities and the lack of well-funded community-based services led to many mentally ill individuals becoming homeless or incarcerated. Government policies, including the deinstitutionalization efforts during the Reagan administration, played a significant role in shaping this crisis.

In conclusion, deinstitutionalization was a deliberate and important shift in mental health care to provide treatment in less restrictive environments. However, it also had unintended consequences, such as contributing to the increase of homelessness among the mentally ill.