Located in Weston, West Virginia. It opened in 1864 and closed in 1994. They now have tours there but I didn't want to tour it because it sounded upsetting. Maybe when I was younger I would have done it.
Interesting building. I think so many of those that used to be in use have closed. I'm sure the treatment for mental patients today is much more humane than it once was.
@vernabeth Treatment is better today then before, but are those that need it, getting it? A dilemma still to this day, in an institution being drugged, or on the street with almost the same level or care? (almost none)
Oh, my, you are in my old territory now (not that I was ever at this asylum! LOL!). My SIL loves this place. She loves ghost hunting and stuff. I couldn't do that tour either.
They were a part of the fabric of our lives for so many years and then they just went away. From a distance it is very lovely. It could be a grand hotel!
Fav. Good capture. We all feel upset seeing such scenes. We did a survey in college many years ago on the incidence of mental disorders. The rate I remember is approximately 5 % of the population in any country. That covers all kinds of problems from simple depression to serious disorders. We have far more medicines, medicines,caring and social support now.
If you didn't know what it was you'd think it was a very impressive building. So many sad things done in the name of health when so much was misunderstood and thought of so differently than we do today. It would definitely be hard to take that tour unless you were able to completely detach your emotions from what you were seeing. I would probably pass too.
May 23rd, 2018
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@vernabeth Treatment is better today then before, but are those that need it, getting it? A dilemma still to this day, in an institution being drugged, or on the street with almost the same level or care? (almost none)