A hundred years ago, being ‘different’ could land you in a lunatic asylum—places of abuse, neglect, and forgotten souls. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the dark past of America’s psychiatric institutions, from Nellie Bly’s daring undercover exposé at Blackwell’s Island to the horrors of lobotomies and modern-day abuses in ‘troubled teen’ facilities. History’s ghosts aren’t as far away as we think.

If You Suspect Abuse / National Resources & Hotlines (U.S.)

***In an emergency, call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.***

Elder Abuse (including in nursing homes or care facilities)

Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging)

1‑800‑677‑1116

https://eldercare.acl.gov

Connects you to local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

National Center on Elder Abuse

https://ncea.acl.gov

Child Abuse or Neglect

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline

1‑800‑4-A-CHILD (1‑800‑422‑4453)

Text: “CHILDHELP” to 1‑800‑422‑4453

https://childhelphotline.org

Confidential help available 24/7 in 170+ languages.

Abuse of People with Disabilities

National Disability Rights Network

https://www.ndrn.org

Finds your state’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) office.

Mental Health & Psychiatric Facility Abuse

SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline

1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357)

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

The Joint Commission (To Report a Behavioral Health Facility)

https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx

Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse

The Hotline

1‑800‑799‑SAFE (7233)

Text: "START" to 88788

https://www.thehotline.org

24/7 confidential support for victims and concerned loved ones.

Troubled Teen Industry / Institutional Abuse

Breaking Code Silence (Survivor Advocacy) https://www.breakingcodesilence.org

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