Newswise — This July marks the passing of behavioral health pioneer Dorothea Dix 125 years ago. Dix is widely regarded as the mother of the modern behavioral healthcare movement. As the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) celebrates its 20th anniversary this year it recognizes the phenomenal accomplishments she made in advancing the cause of those with behavioral health needs – a legacy which still guides much of what SAMHSA does today.
Dorothea Dix promoted the idea that people with mental illnesses could make a full recovery if they were treated and cared for compassionately. Using this philosophy, she toured the United States documenting the conditions and treatment of people with mental illnesses. Her work resulted in extensive positive legislative reforms and improved institutional practices across the United States. She helped establish thirty two hospitals to treat those with mental illnesses, including one specifically geared to meeting the treatment needs of veterans.
Although Dix started her work on behalf of people with mental illness in 1837, much of her philosophy is still relevant and practiced today as evidenced in several of SAMHSA’s strategic initiatives.
One of these is the Military Families Initiative which provides behavioral health support to America’s service men and women together with their families and communities. This initiative is particularly important in order to meet the needs of military members returning from battlefields.
Another SAMHSA strategic initiative that relates to Dix’s work is the Recovery Support Strategic Initiative. This initiative helps promote programs that foster health and resilience; increase permanent housing, employment, education, and other necessary supports; and reduce barriers to social inclusion among individuals and communities who have endured significant adversities. These include natural or manmade disasters, as well as other forms of physical or emotional trauma.
SAMHSA’s Public Awareness and Support Initiative also closely align with Dix’s beliefs. This initiative helps to increase the public’s understanding of mental and substance use disorders in order to: help people recognize the realities of mental and substance use disorders – that they can be treated and that people can get better through recovery.
“Just as she pioneered these reforms, today we strive to live up to them by helping communities throughout the nation meet the needs of those who need these vital services,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “By enhancing the availability and effectiveness of behavioral health services we honor her memory and the work of all those who continue to make America a healthier and stronger nation.”
Information about these strategic initiatives and the programs that help promote them are available online at:For SAMHSA’s Military Families Initiative: http://www.samhsa.gov/MilitaryFamilies/For SAMHSA’s Public Awareness and Support Initiative: http://www.samhsa.gov/publicAwareness/For SAMHSA’s Recovery Support Initiative: http://www.samhsa.gov/recovery/
Information about treatment services is available online at:For the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/For SAMHSA’s Treatment Locator: http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/index.aspxFor SAMHSA’s Treatment Referral Line: http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/index.aspx
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SAMHSA is a public health agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.
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