Post written by Maranda Christy
On Thursday, January 25, 2024, The Robert B. Greenblatt, MD Library held a panel discussion, in conjunction with the National Library of Medicine traveling exhibit Care & Custody: Past Responses to Mental Health about the history of mental health care in the United States. The Dean of Libraries Brad Warren introduced the panel, which included guest speakers Dr. Vaughn McCall, the Department Chair of Psychiatry and Health Behavior, Dr. Wendy Turner, Professor in the Pamplin College Department of History, Anthropology and Philosophy, and Professor Morgan Fields, Director of the Bachelor of Social Work Program in the Pamplin College Department of Social Sciences. Special Collections Librarian Courtney Berge moderated the discussion.
Thursday’s discussion began with an overview of mental health care and treatment in the past, its many problems, and how healthcare reforms have led to the current model of care in the United States. The discussion further explored the transition of mental healthcare from custodial forms of treatment practiced in nineteenth century asylums to the closing of the asylums in the mid-twentieth century which put the burden of care on the community. While mental healthcare has certainly improved in many ways, from advancements in medicines and treatments to the end of systemic corruption and abuse in the asylums, there is still much room for improvement. Due to lack of funding and resources, psychiatric facilities today are overwhelmed, and many patients find themselves homeless or in the prison system because they lack access to long-term care.
On display at the event was also an exhibit curated by Renee Sharrock focusing on the Central Hospital in Milledgeville Georgia, which focuses on the Central Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia, which, at one time, housed the most patients of any mental health care facility in the world.
Many thanks to our guest speakers who shared their expertise with the audience, and we invite students, faculty, and members of the community to look at the related exhibit if they were unable to attend the panel discussion. The Milledgeville Central Hospital exhibit will remain on display in the Historical Collections and Archives room (AB-2113) until the end of February.
