American Psychosis

"American Psychosis" delves into the birth of the federal mental health program initiated by John F. Kennedy in 1963, focusing on the deinstitutionalization movement and the impact it had on mental health care. Written by E. Fuller Torrey, who had firsthand experience at the National Institute of Mental Health during the program's development and launch, the book offers a historical perspective on major political players, the responsibility of the state versus the federal government in caring for the mentally ill, and the unintended consequences of closing institutions. Torrey's expert analysis sheds light on why public mental illness services are so ineffective today, and why it is important to understand the past in order to provide better care for those who need it most.