Mad: A History of Mental Health in the United States

MAD: A History of Mental Health in America
An Advanced High School History Curriculum

How has America understood, treated, and misunderstood mental illness? MAD: A History of Mental Health in America traces this story from the earliest days of the republic to the present, giving high school students a rigorous, chronological look at one of the most overlooked threads in American history.

Spanning 145 pages and 16 lessons, this course is designed as a one-semester advanced history elective, though it can easily be stretched into a full year for families who want to incorporate all the enrichment activities and explore multiple final project options. Students will move through major eras and turning points — from early asylums and the reform movements of Dorothea Dix, through the mental hygiene movement, the trauma of two world wars, the rise and fall of institutionalization, the psychopharmacological revolution, and the ongoing debates and crises that shape mental health care today.

Each lesson follows a consistent structure to support independent learning and rich discussion:

• An opening historical quote, useful as a discussion prompt or for copywork
• An introduction to the era or topic
• Terms to know
• Reading assignments
• Discussion questions
• 3–5 enrichment options per lesson (primary source analysis, creative writing, art, and more)
• A closing summary to reinforce key concepts

Lesson 16 serves as a capstone, offering students multiple final project options along with the resources needed to complete them. The course concludes with an extensive resource section, including a full historical timeline, timeline cards, and curated book, video, and article recommendations for further study.

This is a serious, source-driven course written for the mature high school student ready to engage with a complex and sometimes difficult chapter of American history.

For a free sample of this curriculum, visit SendOwl.

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Content Disclaimer

MAD: A History of Mental Health in America addresses difficult and sensitive subject matter as part of an accurate historical record, including discussions of human sexuality, suicide, and the inhumane treatment of the mentally ill in past eras. These topics are presented with care and historical context, not sensationalism, and are included because they are essential to understanding this history honestly. Parents and educators are encouraged to review course content in advance and determine its suitability for their student.

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