Central State Hospital (Virginia)

Central State Hospital (Virginia) is a psychiatric hospital located in Petersburg, Virginia, United States. It was established in 1870 as the Central Lunatic Asylum and is the first institution in the country to provide a facility for African Americans with mental health disorders.

History

The Central State Hospital was originally established as a part of Howard's Grove Hospital, a former Confederate medical facility. It was later renamed to Central Lunatic Asylum following the American Civil War. The hospital was initially intended to serve the African American population, who were previously denied access to mental health care facilities.

In 1885, the hospital was moved to its current location in Petersburg, Virginia. The hospital has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years to accommodate the growing number of patients and to update its facilities.

Facilities

The hospital currently has a capacity of 270 beds and provides a range of services including psychiatric intensive care, forensic psychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry. The hospital also offers rehabilitation services and community outreach programs.

Controversies

The hospital has been the subject of several controversies over the years, including allegations of patient abuse and neglect. In 1996, the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the hospital's practices, which resulted in a number of reforms.

See also

• List of hospitals in Virginia
• Mental health in the United States

External links

• Official website