Crime Salad BONUS Weird History: America’s Weird Asylum History: Nellie Bly and the Fight for Change
Jul 23, 2025
13:09
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A hundred years ago, being ‘different’ could land you in a lunatic asylum—places of abuse, neglect, and forgotten souls. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the dark past of America’s psychiatric institutions, from Nellie Bly’s daring undercover exposé at Blackwell’s Island to the horrors of lobotomies and modern-day abuses in ‘troubled teen’ facilities. History’s ghosts aren’t as far away as we think.
OOOH, also check out this apartment (the one we talk about in this episode): THE OCTAGON! https://octagonnyc.com/
If You Suspect Abuse / National Resources & Hotlines (U.S.)
***In an emergency, call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.***
Elder Abuse (including in nursing homes or care facilities)
Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging)
1‑800‑677‑1116
https://eldercare.acl.gov
Connects you to local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
National Center on Elder Abuse
https://ncea.acl.gov
Child Abuse or Neglect
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1‑800‑4-A-CHILD (1‑800‑422‑4453)
Text: “CHILDHELP” to 1‑800‑422‑4453
https://childhelphotline.org
Confidential help available 24/7 in 170+ languages.
Abuse of People with Disabilities
National Disability Rights Network
https://www.ndrn.org
Finds your state’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) office.
Mental Health & Psychiatric Facility Abuse
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline
1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Joint Commission (To Report a Behavioral Health Facility)
https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse
The Hotline
1‑800‑799‑SAFE (7233)
Text: "START" to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org
24/7 confidential support for victims and concerned loved ones.
Troubled Teen Industry / Institutional Abuse
Breaking Code Silence (Survivor Advocacy) https://www.breakingcodesilence.org
A hundred years ago, being ‘different’ could land you in a lunatic asylum—places of abuse, neglect, and forgotten souls. In this episode of Weird History, we uncover the dark past of America’s psychiatric institutions, from Nellie Bly’s daring undercover exposé at Blackwell’s Island to the horrors of lobotomies and modern-day abuses in ‘troubled teen’ facilities. History’s ghosts aren’t as far away as we think.
OOOH, also check out this apartment (the one we talk about in this episode): THE OCTAGON! https://octagonnyc.com/
If You Suspect Abuse / National Resources & Hotlines (U.S.)
***In an emergency, call 911 if someone is in immediate danger.***
Elder Abuse (including in nursing homes or care facilities)
Eldercare Locator (U.S. Administration on Aging)
1‑800‑677‑1116
https://eldercare.acl.gov
Connects you to local Adult Protective Services or Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
National Center on Elder Abuse
https://ncea.acl.gov
Child Abuse or Neglect
Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
1‑800‑4-A-CHILD (1‑800‑422‑4453)
Text: “CHILDHELP” to 1‑800‑422‑4453
https://childhelphotline.org
Confidential help available 24/7 in 170+ languages.
Abuse of People with Disabilities
National Disability Rights Network
https://www.ndrn.org
Finds your state’s Protection & Advocacy (P&A) office.
Mental Health & Psychiatric Facility Abuse
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline
1‑800‑662‑HELP (4357)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
The Joint Commission (To Report a Behavioral Health Facility)
https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx
Domestic Violence / Intimate Partner Abuse
The Hotline
1‑800‑799‑SAFE (7233)
Text: "START" to 88788
https://www.thehotline.org
24/7 confidential support for victims and concerned loved ones.
Troubled Teen Industry / Institutional Abuse
Breaking Code Silence (Survivor Advocacy) https://www.breakingcodesilence.org