My understanding is that the story of deinstitutionalization is a bit more complex: there was a movement in the 70s and 80s to have the mentally-ill returned to

My understanding is that the story of deinstitutionalization is a bit more complex: there was a movement in the 70s and 80s to have the mentally-ill returned to the community, instead of being treated in state institutions. However, many of the local facilities that the mentally ill were to receive treatment in were never actually established. At the same time, commitment laws were changed in many states, as part of a civil rights movement, to make it almost impossible to commit someone against their own will unless they were a physical danger to themselves or others. Additionally, Reagan was never a legislator, but only served in an executive capacity, as Governor of California and as President of the US.