CYC 213 – OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENT – TUNNEL TOUR
TO BE SUBMITTED ON BLACKBOARD
VALUE ~ 5%
Please respond to the following questions. You may use point form as long as it is
understandable and thorough.
1. During the tunnel tour, Jennifer discussed various types of treatments that occurred
over the course of the “asylum’s” existence. Describe your understanding of moral
treatment as Jennifer described and provide an example of how it was utilized at the
asylum. (2 marks)
Moral treatment was focused on a a more compassionate and caring approach to help the
patients stabilize. Ex. physical labor for the men, house duties for women
without pay. (free labor) and as a result the asylum saved money, and that through this
treatment it would promote a healthy outcomes, and reflect in their behaviors, through
conforming to societies expectations
2. Somatic treatments were also discussed on the tour. Describe your understanding
of somatic treatments and provide an example. Why were somatic treatments
introduced as an alternative to moral treatment? (3 marks)
Somatic treatments was focused on applying changes to or on the body with the goal that
it would cure the mental symptoms that the clients had been displaying . The belief that
through forced change to the body and its system (and how it works)
alter the mind and ultimately cure the client of the mental illness. A Leucotomy (surgery
of the frontal lobe) was conducted on clients with the goal that this surgery and through
(the destruction of healthy tissue) would alter the behavior and minimize symptoms of
client’s mental health issues. Somatic treatments were used in substitution of moral
treatments as it was believed that this was a direct approach to dealing with the symptoms
(ex. shock therapy, insulin shock therapy, psychosurgery- leucotonmy, ect)
3. The institutionalization of the mentally ill was criticized and eventually led to the
decision to close the psychiatric facility now owned by Humber College. From what
was discussed at the end of the tour, what were some of the outcomes/consequences
of closing in 1979? If you were to argue that they should have remained open, what
would you argue were the benefits of the institution? (3 marks)
The clients were left out to fend for themselves, and the responsibility was largely left
onto member of the community. While there were options available (CAMH), there was
programming, however most of what was made available for “mentally ill” persons, was
based on day treatment. Staff members (ex. nurses) lost many jobs, as a result, the
homelessness rate had increased dramatically.
Who lived in the house that is now the Jean Tweed Centre? Why is this an interesting and
valuable information point? (2 marks)
The person who had lived in the house that is currently called the Jean Tweed Centre, was the
superintendent of the asylum . The location of his office was within the building that is now the
G building. This cottage also had also previously had a tower on top. As the tower had begun to
break apart as a result of, inclement weather (storms). Upon his exit, the tower had broken apart.
He had begun to live in the now Jean Tweed Centre. Many years afterwards after he had left,
they had begun to offer programming in the J.T.C