It wasn't just Reagan. It was also a reaction against the sometimes very real abuses and problems of the institutionalized mental health industry. A film called

It wasn't just Reagan. It was also a reaction against the sometimes very real abuses and problems of the institutionalized mental health industry. A film called One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest help publicize the issue and generated a strong reaction against the idea of institutionalization in the US. Problem is instead of reform they just shut down the entire system. Now we have loads of people on the street who really do need continuous professional help.