As we continue our celebration of Black History Month, NABC delves into a critical chapter of Black mental health history—one that sheds light on the establishment of psychiatric facilities and the complex interplay between healthcare, race, and control. Today, we reflect on the Central State Lunatic Asylum and the Hospital for the Negro Insane of Maryland, institutions that underscore the systemic challenges faced by African Americans seeking mental health care.

Dr. Utsey's Quest for Truth:

Dr. Shawn Utsey, a distinguished professor in the Department of Psychology at the College of Humanities and Sciences, embarked on a profound journey to unravel the history of the Central State Lunatic Asylum for the Colored Insane. His documentary endeavors to expose the stark realities faced by African American individuals seeking mental health care during an era rife with racial prejudice and injustice.

Central State Lunatic Asylum: A Warehouse of Control and Punishment

In 1869, this asylum opened its doors, seemingly as a beacon of mental health care exclusively for African Americans. However, the grim truth, as Dr. Utsey uncovers, paints a different picture. The conditions within the Central State Lunatic Asylum mirrored warehouses—not designed for health reasons but as instruments of control and punishment. White physicians, some responsible for inventing psychiatric disorders like drapetomania, were paradoxically involved in the establishment of this facility.

Hospital for the Negro Insane of Maryland: A Farm Veiling Horrors

The Hospital for the Negro Insane in Crownsville, Maryland, presents a haunting paradox. From the outside, it resembled a farm, with patients engaging in seemingly productive activities. However, Antonia Hylton's investigative work reveals a starkly different narrative within its walls—a story of maltreatment and human rights violations. The idyllic exterior masked the harsh reality endured by African American patients seeking mental health care.

The Chilling Reality: Hospital for the Negro Insane of Maryland

In 1911, the Hospital for the Negro Insane opened in Crownsville, Maryland, presenting an idyllic farm-like exterior to the public. From the outside, the facility resembled a farm, with patients engaging in activities such as harvesting tobacco and working with cattle, giving the impression of a progressive approach to mental health care. However, the investigative work of Peabody award-winning NBC journalist Antonia Hylton exposed a different narrative within its walls. The hospital's interior hid stories of maltreatment, exploitation, and human rights violations, laying bare the systemic issues that plagued mental health care for Black individuals during this era.

The Continuing Journey:

As we navigate the historical corridors of Black mental health care, the NABC remains dedicated to amplifying these narratives. Dr. Utsey's documentary and Antonia Hylton's journalism underscore the importance of acknowledging the struggles of the past to pave the way for a more just and equitable future.

This Black History Month, let us honor the resilience of those who have faced the shadows of mental health care's history. NABC calls for continued advocacy, awareness, and the dismantling of systemic injustices within mental health care. By recognizing and learning from these historical truths, we empower ourselves to shape a future where mental health care is compassionate, inclusive, and free from discrimination.