As much as I hate to say it, this wasn’t all on Reagan.

Up to and around that time there was already a big push away from institutionalization in general which led to the neglected conditions Geraldo made a name for himself reporting over.

Prior to there were lots of overlapping programs that allowed social workers and mental health workers to utilize that helped maintain a relationship between the patient and the system. Community outreach, in home programs… way more funded.

Over time that stuff was neglected and shuttered forcing folks into facilities which were then villainized and shuttered themselves. The face of mental healthcare changes a lot before that bow broke.