# America Emptied Its Asylums. What Replaced Them?

> US shifts from mental health hospitals to community care as debate over what replaces them intensifies.
- Title: America Emptied Its Asylums. What Replaced Them? | Shortify
- Summary: US shifts from mental health hospitals to community care as debate over what replaces them intensifies. The US has emptied state psychiatric hospitals but…
- Keywords: mental health, community care, psychiatric hospitals, homelessness, emergency department, texas, civil commitment, state psychiatric hospital, news, politics, America, Emptied
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/health/america-emptied-its-asylums-what-replaced-them
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-10-11T16:00:10+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: us, mental health, community care, psychiatric hospitals, homelessness, emergency department, who, texas, civil commitment, state psychiatric hospital, news, politics
## US empties psychiatric hospitals
America spent decades emptying state psychiatric hospitals, reducing patients from 559,000 in 1955 to 36,542 by 2025.
## WHO urges community care shift
The World Health Organization released a 146-page guide urging governments to replace long-stay psychiatric institutions with community-based mental health services.
## US moves opposite direction
The Trump administration directed federal agencies to encourage civil commitment for people with serious mental illness, while Texas added state psychiatric capacity.
## Only 9% fully shifted
WHO found only 9% of reporting countries had fully shifted to community-based mental health care, while 53% remained in early stages.
## 28% stay over six months
More than one in four people admitted to psychiatric hospitals stayed longer than six months, indicating system gaps.
## Texas opens new hospital
The Texas Behavioral Health Center in Dallas accepts direct transfers from facilities in Dallas, Collin and Denton counties as UT Southwestern opens the hospital in phases.
## Homelessness data shows gaps
Housing Forward counted 3,513 people experiencing homelessness in Dallas and Collin counties on January 22, including 27% reporting serious mental illness.
## Two different approaches
WHO calls for person-centered community services, while Trump’s executive order encourages civil commitment for people with mental illness posing risks.
## Key takeaway

The US has emptied state psychiatric hospitals but lacks community care, leading to homelessness and emergency department waits for people with mental illness.