Decades of Neglect: The Tragic History of U.S. Mental Health Systems

Wondering how a tragedy like the recent Macy’s stabbing in New York City could happen—and what it reveals about our mental health system? In this episode of Freud and Felons, I explore the history behind America’s psychiatric care and why so many vulnerable individuals end up on the streets or in jail.

Starting with Kerri Aherne, a woman with schizophrenia who was released from a long-term hospital only to become involved in a violent incident, I take a step back and dive into how JFK and Ronald Reagan shaped our current system, from the Kennedy family’s personal struggles with mental illness to Reagan’s deep federal funding cuts.

Misguided reforms, the rise of antipsychotic medications, and the closure of state hospitals left people with severe mental illness with nowhere to turn, leaving correctional facilities to become the largest providers of psychiatric care.

00:00 Mental Illness and Psychiatric Bed Shortage

05:54 Mental Illness Treatment Challenges

08:54 Kennedy's Mental Health Policy Failures

12:15 We Need Better Asylums

For inquiries: ysafai@gmail.com

Check out: https://yaldasafaimd.com/

@YaldaSafaimd on Instagram

@YaldaSafaimd on TikTok

@FreudandFelons on Instagram

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7eTsH62PGSr4vAXSfMTmc0?si=47023ab180f343e5&nd=1&dlsi=9d8f1f4502e54589

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freud-felons/id1862484242

Freud and Felons is not another true crime podcast - it's a journey into the psychology of devious human behavior. I'm Yalda Safai, a psychiatrist who works with inmates, sits through courtrooms, and, just like you, am fascinated by a good true crime story. Instead of "How", let's dive into the "Why" behind the crimes.

Why do upstanding citizens just snap one day and murder their spouses?

Why did Ted Bundy have so many fans?

What does the word psychopath truly mean?

Most importantly, why are YOU so obsessed with a good crime story?

Welcome to Freud and Felons.

Subscribe if you want to understand the psychology behind today’s toughest headlines.

Produced by Through The Noise: https://www.getthroughthenoise.com/

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(14)

Is Cannabis Really Safe? The Link Between Potency, Psychosis, and Violence

Explore the unsettling reality of high-potency cannabis and its link to psychosis, violent crime, and legal controversy.In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives deep into cases where...

29 Mai 16min

Can AI Replace Therapists? Examining the Dangers of Relying on Chatbots

Explore the hidden risks of turning to AI chatbots for therapy in this revealing episode of Freud and Felons. Dr. Yalda Safai dives into real-life cases where individuals became dangerously attached t...

15 Mai 16min

Inside the Minds of Mothers: Postpartum Psychosis and Unthinkable Crimes

In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr.Yalda Safai takes an unflinching look at the tragic cases of mothers who killed their children while suffering from postpartum psychosis and were found not guil...

1 Mai 17min

Surviving TBI and Alcoholism: A Psychiatrist’s Candid Story

Can traumatic brain injury and alcohol abuse lead to destructive behaviors?Traumatic brain injury and alcohol abuse collide in this episode of Freud and Felons, as Dr. Yalda Safai interviews fellow ps...

17 Apr 55min

Are Kids Really More Violent Now? Parenting, Technology, and the Loss of Patience

Are kids really becoming more violent, or are we just hearing about it more?In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai dives into the rise in youth violence, the roles of entitlement, low fr...

3 Apr 20min

The Anatomy of a Dictator: How Power, Fear, and Propaganda Create Tyrants

What makes a dictator, and how do they manage to maintain such absolute control over a nation?In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai exposes the psychology behind dictatorships. From key...

20 Mar 18min

The Psychology Behind Epstein’s Elite Circle of Silence and Complicity

In this episode of Freud & Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai breaks down the psychological forces driving powerful people to look the other way or even participate in Jeffrey Epstein's crimes.Find out how belon...

6 Mar 20min

Why Do Women Love Dangerous Men? The Psychology Behind Notorious Prison Romances

What draws women to some of the world’s most notorious killers?In this episode of Freud and Felons, Dr. Yalda Safai explores the unsettling psychology behind why convicted murderers like Wade Wilson, ...

20 Feb 15min