PS 1997; 48:541-542
Copyright © 1997 by American Psychiatric Association
"Do not go gentle into that good night": when a psychiatric hospital closes
CQ Craig
Grafton Correctional Institute, OH 44044, USA.
In the past decade, more than 800 United States hospitals closed their
doors forever. Many were psychiatric hospitals. Mental health professionals
should be especially aware of the pain that hospital closure may cause for
patients, staff, families, and communities and how the adverse effects of
their varied grief reactions may last for years. Responsible clinical and
administrative leaders can do much to prevent or help resolve the pain of
hospital closure, assisting everyone involved toward acceptance and the
personal growth that can result from crisis.
