Project Objective
Through this website we'll examine how the relationship of purely benevolent and hopeful intentions conflicted with a lack of funding, lack of understanding, and eventually gross abuse and neglect.
Understanding the Time Period
We are conscious that when examining [medical] history that some things we now know to be inhumane and frankly abusive were not necessarily seen that way. Hindsight is (mostly) 20/20. We are aware that technology, medical equipment, and overall basic knowledge of mental illnesses and what constitutes as one is extremely different today. We acknowledge that the medical success we enjoy today is only because of the time thousands of people spent learning what is best, no matter the cost.
Acknowledging intent, accountability for neglect
Something that is harder to understand is what went wrong as far as the intentions of Central State Hospital and eventually the closing. The hospital was intended to be a place that was going to be progressive and innovative in the era of moral practices with the mentally ill. Understanding where along the lines intent is neglected or difficult circumstances overtake a situation is key in preventing a pattern. Intent does not provide immunity from accountability of injustice.