I submit that change has less to do with declines in US mental healthcare or Church influence in that period than with the growing number of people "not economically viable," and Americas increasing willingness to ignore them as expendable (or liquidate them as liabilities.) Communities do not do that with (to) their members, and since Americans' willingness to do so is directly proportional to their self-proclaimed Chrisitianity, I do not believe the Church the problem, only another victim.

I think it is the same problem we see in many Third World warzones, which is deeply shameful in a country like the US. Keep telling people life is cheap and they start to believe you; keep telling them THEIR specific life is worthless and they start to hate you. Not a good combination, especially when the foundation is "do whatever it takes to get ahead and success will earn societys pardon of any crimes." Social justice is ultimately a question of survival as much as of morality.