Austin State Hospital (ASH), formerly known until 1925 as the Texas State Lunatic Asylum, is a 240-bed psychiatric hospital located in Austin, Texas. It is the oldest psychiatric facility in the state of Texas, and the oldest continuously operating west of the Mississippi River. It is operated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Services
Austin State hospital offers psychiatric services for children, adolescents, and adults. These individuals may be struggling with one or more challenges within a broad range of mental illnesses and developmental or intellectual disabilities. This hospital offers acute, short-term care in the form of crisis stabilization with the goal of reintegration into society and the transition to long-term outpatient care.
History
Establishment and early years
The Texas State Lunatic Asylum was chartered by the Texas Legislature on August 28, 1856. The Act set aside $50,000 in U.S. bonds for the construction of a suitable building. The Governor was authorized to appoint a commission of three men to select a site of between 50 and 100 acres for the asylum, and to appoint a physician to serve as Superintendent at a salary of $2,000 per year and $10,000 in U.S. bonds was set aside for operations of the facility. Gov. Elisha M. Pease appointed Dr. J. C. Perry as the first Superintendent on May 27, 1857. He was replaced by Dr. C. G. Keenan on February 13, 1858.
In 1925, the name of the facility changed from the Texas State Lunatic Asylum to the Austin State Hospital to reflect developing attitudes surrounding mental health care at the time.
By the 1950s, the hospital had made several recreational activities available to their patients. Residents played sports and were able to attend movie nights, dances, and religious services.
As a response to this influence and to an increasing demand for comprehensive mental health services due to complications caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas Legislature approved $745 million for the renovation and improvement of Texas psychiatric facilities in the 85th and 86th Legislative sessions.
As of March 2022, the newly renovated facility covers 375,000 square feet and contains 240 private patient bedrooms.
Support organizations
Austin State Hospital's Volunteer Services Council (VSC) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. The VSC conducts fundraiser and donation programs and helps build community awareness about mental illness and the role of Austin State Hospital in the treatment of mental illness.
Gallery
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Image:AustinStateHospitalEntrance.JPG|Entrance to the Austin State Hospital, at 4110 Guadalupe Street
File:Austin State Hospital bldg 801 - March 5, 2025.jpg|Front entrance of the new Austin State Hospital building 801, completed in 2024
File:Austin State Hospital front view of 801.jpg|Another view of the front entrance of 801
File:ASH All Faiths Chapel bell tower.jpg|The bell tower of the All Faiths Chapel on the ASH campus.
File:Austin State Hospital bldg 794 entrance.jpg|Entrance of building 794 (the Specialty Services unit), no longer in use.
</gallery>