The Augusta Mental Health Institute (AMHI) opened in 1840 . Originally named the Maine Insane Hospital and later the Augusta State Hospital, it closed in 2004 and was replaced on the same grounds with Riverview Psychiatric Hospital. This video gives us a brief glimpse into the evolution of mental health treatment from primarily institutional to community based care. You will have the privilege to witness some of the patients artwork on the walls of the tunnels. We end with the opening of Riverview Psychiatric Center, which is “a center for best practice, treatment, education and research, for individuals with serious, persistent mental illness, and co-occurring substance use disorders.” https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/riverview/about-us.
We recommend that the showing of this documentary be accompanied with a discussion as it may bring emotions to the surface.
