The Historical Criminalization of Mental Illness in the United States and the Strain on Healthcare Workers

19th Century Palatial Asylum

1. Introduction: Overview of Systemic Failures in US Care for Mental Health

The treatment of mental illness in the United States has historically been marked by stigmatization, neglect, even criminalization, reflecting broader trends in the Western world. This systemic approach has often failed to prioritize compassionate care, instead relegating those with mental health conditions to the margins of society or into facilities ill-equipped to provide adequate treatment. The problem is compounded by the strain placed on healthcare workers who must operate within a system that prioritizes cost-efficiency over patient well-being. The result is a landscape where many individuals with severe mental health needs receive only marginal care, perpetuating cycles of suffering, inadequate treatment, and economic burden. Many receive no care what so ever, with their inability to thus contribute to society creating even greater reciprocal economic ramifications.

2. The Role of Asylums: Origins and Abuses

A) The Rise of Asylums in the 19th Century

In the 19th century, mental asylums emerged as a dominant institution for managing those with mental health disorders in Europe and the United States. Initially…