What was a significant effect of Dorothea Dix's advocacy work in the 1820s?

Dorothea Dix is most renowned for her tireless advocacy for the mentally ill during the 1820s, which led to significant reforms in the treatment of individuals with mental health issues. Her work brought national attention to the brutal conditions within insane asylums and emphasized the need for humane treatment. This advocacy resulted in the establishment of new, more appropriate facilities and the reform of existing institutions, ensuring better care and conditions for patients. Dix traveled extensively, gathering information and presenting it to lawmakers, which spurred legislative changes and the allocation of funds to create hospitals dedicated to mental health care. Her influence was pivotal in changing public perceptions about mental illness and advancing mental health reform in the United States, making her a key figure in this area of social reform.