This hospital was made to care for orphans, abandoned children, and the mentally ill. It was established as part of the Hospital Provincial de Valencia, also known as the "Hospital General," which served as a major healthcare institution in the city. (2) The Hospital de Inocentes played a crucial role in providing care for vulnerable individuals who were often neglected by society. This included children who had been orphaned or abandoned, as well as adults who were deemed incapable of caring for themselves due to mental illness or intellectual disabilities.(1) In terms of care, it was decently custodial however similar to a jail in the sense of routine.

Source (2): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18286394/

Bethlem Royal Hospital: Founded in 1676, Bethlem Royal Hospital, also known as Bedlam, is one of the oldest mental health institutions in the world. While it became notorious for its harsh treatments, it also played a significant role in the early understanding and treatment of mental illness. Those who became patients were usually the poor and usually believed to be dangerous.(1) In the time the hospital was around it was relocated a total of 3 times,(2) and it defined the original state of mental health treatment: one which was terrible and relied on theology more so than science.(2)

Source(2): https://museumofthemind.org.uk/projects/european-journeys/asylums/bethlem-royal-hospital

In France, originally La Salpetrière was used as a gunpowder factory, however, it was turned into an asylum that operated more like a prison, mainly for females. (1). It had no promises of any treatment and or recovery and it was most common for patients to simply pass away from lack of nourishment, suicide, etc.(1). After the revolution began in France the people of the hospital were brutally murdered and nothing changed until many years after the revolution.

Founded by William Tuke, York Retreat was established as an alternative to the harsh and often brutal conditions found in traditional asylums of the time.(2) It emphasized humane treatment known as the Inner light, moral therapy, and the importance of a peaceful and supportive environment for the recovery of individuals with mental illness.(1) It to this day serves as a model for the moral treatment movement in mental health care. Its principles and practices laid the groundwork for more humane and compassionate approaches to the treatment of mental illness.

Source 2: http://www.historyofyork.org.uk/timeline/georgian/the-retreat

Being one of the USA's first public mental hospitals, it provided crucial care and support to individuals with mental illness during a time when religion was typically an overrule to mental health. While treatment methods of the era were different from those of the modern day, the establishment marked a significant step forward in recognizing the need for specialized care for those with psychiatric disorders. To this day this hospital is still utilized with about 400 beds with varying treatment forms outside of just the brain (2)

Source (2): https://www.dshs.wa.gov/bha/division-state-hospitals/eastern-state-hospital-overview

My docent is a man by the name of William Tuke, his work at the York Retreat contributed significantly to the reform of mental health care in England and beyond. His approach emphasized the importance of treating individuals with mental illness with compassion and understanding, rather than subjecting them to neglect and mistreatment. (1) The York Retreat was established with a core commitment to treating individuals with mental illness with kindness, respect, and dignity, diverging sharply from the harsh and often cruel practices common in contemporary institutions. (2) His influence in the world of mental health is something that made me belive that he is the most appropriate character to consider my docent.

Source (2): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24944052/

McLean Hospital, nestled in Belmont, Massachusetts. Built in 1811, McLean, provides the best support possible for people facing mental health challenges. They cover inpatient care, outpatient therapy, or a safe residential program. They specialize in helping with all sorts of mental health issues, from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and struggles with substance use.(1) Something different about McLean is that they always push the boundaries of what's possible. They're constantly researching and developing new treatments, ensuring they're offering the most effective help.(1) But beyond all the science and expertise, their heart really sets McLean apart. This is super important to this museum because it shows the evolution of care and understanding of mental health and psychology, neuroscience over the years!