"Do not go gentle into that good night": when a psychiatric hospital closes

In the past decade, more than 800 United States hospitals closed their doors forever. Many were psychiatric hospitals. Mental health professionals should be especially aware of the pain that hospital closure may cause for patients, staff, families, and communities and how the adverse effects of their varied grief reactions may last for years. Responsible clinical and administrative leaders can do much to prevent or help resolve the pain of hospital closure, assisting everyone involved toward acceptance and the personal growth that can result from crisis.