In her investigation into the treatment of the mentally ill, Nellie Bly uncovered significant flaws in both the admission and release processes at the New York asylum. One of the major problems she identified was the lack of proper evaluation for individuals being admitted. Bly noted that many patients were committed to the asylum based on arbitrary judgments or minor incidents, indicating a "catch-all" approach that did not consider the actual mental health needs of the individuals. For instance, she reported that women could be admitted for reasons as trivial as being seen speaking in an animated manner, suggesting that societal stigmas heavily influenced admissions.
Moreover, Bly highlighted the difficulties surrounding the release of patients. Many individuals remained in the asylum for extended periods without any proper reassessment of their mental health status, leading to unjust confinement. She observed that patients could be lost in the system, as there was no systematic way to review their cases or determine if they were fit for reintegration into society. This lack of oversight meant that patients who could have benefitted from support outside the asylum were often left languishing within its walls.
Overall, Bly's exposé revealed a dire need for reform in the processes of admitting and releasing patients from the asylum, emphasizing the influence of societal biases and the absence of adequate mental health evaluations.
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