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Mental Health In The United States

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Mental Health Services is defined as “assessment, diagnosis, treatment or counseling in a professional relationship to assist an individual or group in alleviating mental or emotional illness, symptoms, conditions or disorders” (bcm.edu) Mental health services didn’t start out the way it is now. It’s evolved into something much more than what it used to be. During Colonial America, society believed that insanity and mental health disorders was caused by a full moon at the time of a baby’s birth. Those without family were placed in prisons and were chained to walls. The first hospitals built in 1773 were designed to keep those with mental illness away from society and not treat them. The mistreatment of the mentally ill in prisons during the 19th century inspired the increase of creation of institutions to treat them. The society’s focus on these patients led to state legislative committee in 1827 to look into institution conditions. The construction of a 120 bed hospital …show more content…
“A bill to improve the provision of mental health services and otherwise promote mental health throughout the United States; and for other purposes” (govtrack.us). This allowed a grant program, it involved consumer input, offered education and support and lastly strengthened the links between federal and state services. During 1990’s mental health services had improved tremendously. 1990 was the “Decade of the Brain”, it was to enhance public awareness of the benefits to be derived from brain research. In 1994, Behavioral Brain Imaging was created to help scientists learn more the development of major mental illnesses. In 1996, HIPPA was approved and it improved caregivers of those with mental illness. The Clinton Administration banned the use of restraints in federally funded hospitals. They also reported on co-occurring disorders. Following that, the Bush Administration increased funding for community health

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