Was the deinstitutionalization movement considered very successful due to fully funded community services?

The deinstitutionalization movement, which aimed to shift the care of individuals with mental illness from large institutions to community-based settings, is not considered very successful primarily due to the lack of fully funded community services. While the movement led to the closure of many institutions and promoted the idea that individuals with mental illness could thrive in community settings, it was often accompanied by inadequate funding for these community services.

In many cases, the transition was poorly managed, leaving individuals without the necessary support and resources to function effectively in the community. This resulted in significant challenges, including increased homelessness among those with mental health issues, as well as limited access to healthcare and social services. Therefore, the assertion that it was successful due to fully funded community services is misleading. The reality is that, while the intentions behind deinstitutionalization were positive, the execution fell short, leading to mixed outcomes rather than outright success.