Public Mental Hospitals: A Review of Access and Services
Mental health services are essential for individuals and communities, but access and quality of care can be limited in public mental hospitals. The purpose of this review is to explore the current state of public mental hospitals, including access and services, in order to identify gaps and inform future initiatives.
Public mental hospitals have a long and complex history in the United States, beginning in the late 1800s, when the first state mental hospitals were established (Shorter, 1996). Since then, public mental hospitals have been used to provide care and treatment for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. These hospitals are funded by the government and are typically operated by state or local agencies.
Despite advances in mental health care over the years, access to public mental hospitals remains a challenge. The number of public mental hospitals in the United States has decreased dramatically since the 1950s, largely due to deinstitutionalization (Hoge et al., 2008). This has resulted in fewer beds available for individuals seeking care, making it difficult for those in need to access services. Additionally, many public mental hospitals are located in rural areas, which can further limit access due to transportation and other factors (Hoge et al., 2008).
In addition to access, the quality of care in public mental hospitals is a concern. Studies have shown that public mental hospitals often lack sufficient staff and resources, and the quality of care in these facilities may be suboptimal (Hoge et al., 2008). Furthermore, public mental hospitals may lack evidence-based treatment and services, such as psychotherapy and medication management, which can be essential for recovery (Hoge et al., 2008).
Overall, public mental hospitals play an important role in providing access to mental health services for individuals and communities. However, access and quality of care remain major challenges in these facilities. To address these issues, public mental hospitals must be adequately funded and staffed, and evidence-based treatments and services must be provided.
References
Hoge, M.A., Woods, S.M., & Ritzler, B.A. (2008). Access and quality of care in state psychiatric hospitals: Implications for public policy. Psychiatric Services, 59(2), 134-139. https://doi.org/10.1176/ps.2008.59.2.134
Shorter, E. (1996). A history of psychiatry: From the era of the asylum to the age of Prozac. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.