The Lunatic Asylum part III







 In stark contrast to these wards.....

 There are areas of the asylum that look like this.  This is the communal area in the doctors wing.

 The doctors study.

 The grounds the patients could gaze out on.

 Reception areas where visitors would sit, they never saw the wards.

 An area where you could take tea with a visitor if you were lucky enough to have one.

 A seclusion cell.

 The seclusion ward.



 Here are some examples of patients art.

 These are from the late 80's and early 90's just before the asylum closed.

 Click on any of these to enlarge.





 We were told innumerable stories about patients doing anything they could to not be released from this facility.  As odd as it sounds. most of these patients spent their lives here and had nowhere to go when they left.  The sad truth is that when these facilities were closed in the 90's, these people ended up on the streets and in jails.  As a society, we need something in the middle, but what is the answer.

 Click to enlarge this to see how easily any one of us could have ended up here.









Though this may seem macbre to many, remember, people tour Aushwitz too.  I only see hope for the future by educating ourselves about the past.

Comments

Anonymous said…
I know thats true,, we need to be educated but I will be honest and say I am one of those people that just block myself from the world some times, choosing the easy path,,I know its wrong but sometimes it just all seems so sad, so much bad stuff going on,,
I need to keep my head out of the sand more and you made me realize that,,
Ian's Girl said…
It's so true that many mentally ill people fall through the cracks. Sadly, I don't think there is really much of a solution.
Susan said…
I agree that there needs to be more thought and effort given to reintroducing people who have been sorely challenged back into our tricky culture. The artwork was very interesting. They say that there is a fine line between creativity and insanity. Being a past art student, I can relate.
Anonymous said…
Yes of course we need to see places like this and hopefully learn something so we don't do the same mistakes again.

They did the same thing here, just closed these places and lots of the former patients ended up on the road or in jails. I think and hope it is better today though.

Have a great day!

Christer.
You're absolutely right. There has to be a halfway point between the two extremes. It just takes political will, a reassignment of priorities, and a willingness to fund adequate care. "Just"
Guillaume said…
Such beautiful place, yet such ugly dramas and even tragedies happened there.
Kay said…
You're absolutely right that we need to be aware of and understand what is going on. It's a sad place, but even sadder that inmates did not want to leave.
TARYTERRE said…
Unfortunately the STIGMA remains today for those that are mentally ill. Facilities still have isolation wards. And medication is prescribed with careless abandon. There isn't a clear path to the future with new insights. Too many people prescribe to the old ways of doing things. And those that need our help the most are drowning in a sea of red tape and backward thinking.
Taryterre is right! Exactly right. And..unless you have a family member or have experienced something to do with the system yourself, it's hard to know just how bad it is. I honestly don't think I would be able to tour a place like that. But then..I am easily spooked. :) For me, I worked at a Hospital here in my town and we had a mental ward on the top floor. I only floated there for duty once..and never again. Oddly, some of the nurses I knew loved working that floor..and liked talking and joking about it. I learned enough from rumor and from the one time to know it needed change and more experienced workers. Educated in the field, not just nursing experience.
Jim said…
I would like to think that these 'institutions' are becoming a thing of the past and are modernizing their approach in the treatment of human beings with depression.
Where there is a 'will', there is a way. And yes it does help if family members join the fight for better treatment. they have walked the walk, so to speak.
thanks for this, Joyce.
Mary Ann said…
What a sad, sad place ... I agree, it should be a reminder to us all.
chickpea678 said…
Wow. How did I miss these posts? The art work was heartwrenching.