Closure of mental hospitals

The closure of mental hospitals refers to shutting down large, specialized facilities that historically provided housing, treatment, and care for individuals with mental illnesses. This shift aimed to move toward community-based care, emphasizing outpatient services, support networks, and integration into everyday life, rather than long-term hospitalization. These closures were driven by concerns over the quality of institutional care, the desire to respect individual rights, and the belief that mental health treatment should be more humane and personalized. While intended to improve mental health support, closures also raised challenges in ensuring adequate community resources and ongoing care.