Texas is flat out CRAZY! We've got proof. The Lone Star State is home to more mentally disabled patients in institutions than any other state. Go ahead, hoot and holler -- have a parade. This is one of those moments to revel in your Texas-ness.
Or not.
"Critics allege that Texas remains stuck in an era when the mentally disabled were hidden away in large, impersonal facilities far from relatives and communities." Texas has the distinct title of being the "institution capital of America."
There are 13 such facilities in Texas, housing "nearly 5,000 residents—more than six times the national average. On a per-capita basis, Texas has 20.4 people per 100,000 in large institutions, Lakin said. The national average is 12.2 people." Other large states, like New York and California, fall below the national average.
While Texas has come under fire for their mass institutionalizing (a system that many say leads to patient abuse -- some absolutely horrific examples can be found in the linked story), the state claims that keeping these facilities open provides a wider array of treatment options. Regardless, this isn't the Middle Ages. It seems like an awfully antiquated -- and downright inhumane -- way to treat mentally disabled individuals. So far, Texas has responded by increasing funding to institution employees. Hardly a way to radically upend the system.
A state with Texas-sized resources should be doing better. Just remember that this is the same state that -- oopsie -- discovered $1.1 billion TxDot accounting error. When math is that tricky, we can't expect miracles.
Or not.
"Critics allege that Texas remains stuck in an era when the mentally disabled were hidden away in large, impersonal facilities far from relatives and communities." Texas has the distinct title of being the "institution capital of America."
There are 13 such facilities in Texas, housing "nearly 5,000 residents—more than six times the national average. On a per-capita basis, Texas has 20.4 people per 100,000 in large institutions, Lakin said. The national average is 12.2 people." Other large states, like New York and California, fall below the national average.
While Texas has come under fire for their mass institutionalizing (a system that many say leads to patient abuse -- some absolutely horrific examples can be found in the linked story), the state claims that keeping these facilities open provides a wider array of treatment options. Regardless, this isn't the Middle Ages. It seems like an awfully antiquated -- and downright inhumane -- way to treat mentally disabled individuals. So far, Texas has responded by increasing funding to institution employees. Hardly a way to radically upend the system.
A state with Texas-sized resources should be doing better. Just remember that this is the same state that -- oopsie -- discovered $1.1 billion TxDot accounting error. When math is that tricky, we can't expect miracles.
You can't tell by the number of homeless on the streets and disabled kids being "mainstreamed" in the schools. thought locking them up went out in the 70s, but ask any teacher how many expect modified adjustments in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteTexas, for some reason, attracts its fair share of nut cases. You don't have to look very far to see a need for more insane asylums.
ReplyDeleteMost of the people of Lumberton and Vidor can be considered insane. How else do you explain behavior in those towns?
These East Texans are highly inbred. Mass confusion in East Texas would occur if all the kids were required to take a DNA test to prove parentage.
When meth is considered the recreational drug of choice, you can't expect anything other than scrambled brains.
Cat, I hope you are just shooting your mouth off about "most" in Vidor and Lumberton being insane. And as to the inbred in E. Texas, prove it.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that so many mentally ill homeless are on the streets and spend nights in our jails shows the failure of the current MH care system. This isn't just here but throughout the country. Frankly, it is surprising Texas has so many institutionalized considering the populations of facilities such as Rusk in the 1960s and today.
Prove it?! All U have to do is look at how many Bubbas & Bubbettes there are...they don't fall far from the tree-not all the *insane* are homeless or in jail. Some work at the Mall & at the fast food drivethru. Some are even in our City & County Gov.Or work for FEMA...
ReplyDeleteI knew there was a reason I have always felt right at home here! Hey, folks....if you only have ugly things to say about Texas, LEAVE IT!
ReplyDelete