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Colonial Era: Mental Illness Viewed as Moral Failing
During the colonial period, mental illness was seen as a moral or spiritual issue. People were often accused of being possessed or sinful, and there were no formal treatments or institutions. Most responses involved isolation or punishment.
(Suppes et al., 2023) -
1841: Dorothea Dix’s Advocacy Begins
Dorothea Dix began visiting prisons and poorhouses, exposing the inhumane treatment of people with mental illness. Her advocacy led to the establishment of state mental hospitals and a shift toward institutional care in the U.S.
(Suppes et al., 2023) -
1963: Community Mental Health Centers Act
President Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Centers Act to promote care in local communities. This law funded outpatient mental health clinics and supported deinstitutionalization, reducing reliance on large psychiatric hospitals.
(Suppes et al., 2023) -
2020–Present: Mental Health in the COVID-19 Era
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge in mental health concerns. Telehealth and online therapy became common, helping expand access. Mental health awareness and policy support increased nationally.
(Suppes et al., 2023)