I've not read the book but seen the film. According to research around at the time of writing there was the beginnings of recognition that institutions themselves can make you ill. It's the pioneering work of Erving Goffman, who called the problem institutionalisation. His work plus further research eventually led to some (but not enough) reform of various institutions including psychiatric hospitals.

The implication is that you could go into a place like that and even a perfectly healthy person could be destabilised . We have to ask what should a sane person do in the face of institutional bullying and manipulation ? Is it right or helpful to go passive for the sake of a quiet life?