Part 5/14:
Kennedy's administration promoted the closure of many institutions, replacing them with community mental health centers supposedly designed to provide a more humane, inclusive alternative. The problem, as Rosen points out, was that these centers were never equipped to handle the most severe cases. Over time, they became dealing grounds for the mentally ill who were most dangerous or seriously afflicted, leading to an increase in homelessness, violence, and mass shootings. Rosen underscores that this shift was driven by good intentions but resulted in tragic neglect.