What I Read August

 I am linking up with Modern Mrs Darcy and Quick Lit.  Check out what everyone else is reading.

Madness by Antonia Hylton. 

 

This was a book club selection. Crownsville State Hospital was built by the inmates of the asylum. Early on since the beginning the patients supported the hospital by growing food and being hired out to local farms as labor. There was really no treatment other than work for those who were mentally ill especially those of color.  Often those with minor petty crimes who were not ill were sent to Crownsville.  It was the boogey man story that colored people told their children - "If you don't behave, Crownsville will come get you." Even as metal health improved Crownsville was under funded and often acted as a place of incarnation rather than a place to help. There are truths that still hold true today. One that mental health care is stigmatized it doesn't matter your race and secondly how mental health care is administered for people of color is not of the same standard of care. How we threat those with mental health issues has not evolved far enough. 

Over 2000 patients died at Crownsville their stories deserved to be told. This is certainly not an uplifting read. Antonia did a wonderful job of discussing the intersection of race and mental health. Ther is more work that needs to be done, and part of the work is raising awareness. Lastly, this book hits close to home as there are people in my life who struggle with mental illness. The struggle to get quality care is real.