Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum

This is the second book I've read this year that touches on the history of institutionalization and de-institutionalization and I find both so fascinating and sad. Hylton approaches the topic with such empathy and grace, but also the righteous anger that is so needed. A must read for all who are concerned with mental health, race, and the ways in which they interact.

Thank you, Partner @cocoachapters @legacylitbooks for the finished copy.

This book was absolutely beautiful.
As someone who worked in the mental health field right out of college for almost 3 years, working mainly with patients suffering from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia the bonds you create with patients and their families is truly a special experience. Holding pt accountable to their treatment plan, wanting to see them succeed and continue to rehabilitate themselves once they leave treatment. Reading Madness was truly heartbreaking. 
The topic of mental illness in the black community is often seen as a taboo topic. To read the treatment of black patients in Crownsville hospital, and how the hospital became a dumping ground for “aggressive and combative” black men, women, and children. How patients were deferred to the hospital rather than a jail, and left there for years with no proper diagnosis. Families thought their loved ones were dead after not being able to find them for 20+ plus, all this time were just in the hospital. 
The research and time that went into Madness was probably very daunting but Hylton brought to light a very disturbing history that needed to be made whole.
Madness made me question how far have we truly come from black people getting the mental help they truly need? How long do we go over diagnosed or undiagnosed or even misdiagnosed once we seek out treatment? 
(New flash: black people are still frequently misdiagnosed and under treated)

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