I am a nurse working in mental health hospitals. I know that no-one chooses to be with us, but I try hard to treat everyone with respect. I am sorry that you did not feel respected during your mental health crisis. Wards are awful, but as you point out, they are like that for a reason.

I think this is a very important post. People are afraid of what they don't know. Fear creates stigma and even hatred. These images let you see, they let you know, let you understand. These images may help people who've been reluctant to asking for help to actually picture themselves within these pictures, and maybe get the encouragement they need to do the big step towards health.

Thank you for sharing this. I hope you continue to get better. Take care brave lady xx

In the US you don't keep your phone. If you need a number you stand at the nurse's station and write it down and give the phone back. You get small cups of shampoo(only baby shampoo so you can't drink it) and conditioner when you're taking a shower. There is no courtyard or outside time at all. There is MAYBE two s****y books so when someone brings your clothes hopefully they bring some. But then you have to be careful that residents don't steal them.

Thank you for sharing. I know how the inside of a mental institution looks like but it's good that others see it too. It's not a horror movie thing, the nurses are there to help you and keep you safe. Good luck in the future with your BPD, it's a b***h sometimes but it's very possible to learn to live with it, as are most if not all mental illnesses. To everyone: If you're unwell, whatever reason, seek help.

Thank you for having the courage to share. I have bipolar disorder, and used to work for a peer support organization that was ostensibly run by mental health clients, but we were really a subsidiary of a larger organization that controlled everything. Although our boss was a person with schizophrenia himself, he didn’t want “one of us” to be the office manager, so he hired a woman without a mental condition to do the job. She acted “nice” much of the time, but was very patronizing and enjoyed undermining people’s reputations. Your shoelaces story reminds me of something that happened at my job. We had a Christmas gift giveaway for support club members. I saw a group of staff members in the office removing the drawstrings from of dozens of pairs of sweatpants. I was new at the time, so I asked why; they said it was so the people couldn’t hang themselves. I said, “Why not give them sweatshirts instead?” The office manager said, “They like the sweatpants.”

Thank you for sharing your experience! I was "admitted" involuntarily a few years ago as a result of a suicide attempt in relation to my ongoing struggles with BPD. I was cleared for release within two days but stayed voluntarily for a month - it was one was the most helpful, times of my life. Where I'm from they separate us into 3 wards - one for people like me (low risk); the second is for moderate cases, usually recurring patients who may pose a minor threat to themselves others; and the third was for severe psychotic/schizophrenic individuals who were at high risk of self or otherly harm. We all had the option to go to group sessions & art therapy throughout the day, free gym hour, along with doctor & nurse sessions daily & access to tv & a recumbent bike & elliptical. All in all - helpful, but after care was a nightmare. Group therapy, life skills lessons, CBT, DBT (which I waited over 3 years to get into, but is the only recognized program for BPD sufferers) The battle continues

I have an adult child how has been sectioned twice, she gets treated well and then she's let out. Eventually she stops taking her medication due to massive weight increases and becomes very very poorly again. She's a different person without her medication and someone I don't recognise or particularly like. Her mental health makes her turn on her closest family and she says the most terrible things you could imagine. When she's on her medication it's like I have my old girl back again. I love her dearly but now I am older I can no longer take the constant abuse and also at times physical attacks. The NHS staff are wonderful and so overwhelmingly against the odds. I'm glad you recognise when you need help and you seek it before it becomes too damaging for you and your loved ones. Best of luck x

Am I the only one who find it weird that you are worrying about 4th dimensional beings watching you but you share your life throught the social media with millions of 3 dimensional beings?

I'm so very inspired by your bravery and thoughtfulness to share!!

I admitted myself one time and I'll never do it again.

I'm a therapist and used to work inpatient units in hospitals. This one is a very nice looking one and you have your own room, compared to several I've worked in in the past. Inpatient stays are more often than not short-term so many activities and comforts are simply not there because of both funding cuts and because people do not live in hospitals or stay in them long term (court-ordered and involuntary is a different story). I work outpatient program now. This was a good article for people to see what hospitals units for psych are now and the realities instead of the assumptions and stigmas. Glad you are doing better and were proactive in getting help for yourself.

Thank you for sharing this :) Sharing experiences and having open non-judgemental conversations around mental health topics is essential for society to move forward and become more enlightened and compassionate. Thank you for being brave and sharing this experience. I have depression and anxiety :) xx

I'm so grateful that you are on this Earth, and made this post. It raises awareness for people who are dealing with the same things you are, Out of the Darkness. I hope you feel better, and, stay away from those mediciences that cause suicidal thoughts/actions, lol. 👍 Loved this post feel better

You don't really know what it's like, it sucked for me, all they did was use you to their own advantage, and completey ruin your life

Thank you for this post. As many have written, experiences vary widely. In the best places, the psych techs, nurses and doctors are compassionate and intend only to do good. Sometimes, while in the grasp of fearful and angry feelings, I know this does not seem true. If a person can be cared for on an outpatient basis with a strong safety net, that, imho, should be the first choice. If the inpatient care feels cold and too rule bound, try another place if possible. The reason for being inpatient should be safety fro self harm, respite from outside stress, med evaluation if needed and collaboration with you and the support staff to develop a recovery plan.

I was also admitted to a Mental health clinic last year December. I have major depression with severe panic attacks. My medication wasn't working and I was suicidal. The doc put me on lithium, and my mood lifted immediately, finally found my happy pill! I pray for those who are struggling with depression to get help. You are loved and very special.

Thank you.. for still being here too. xoxo

I was in a lovely hospital in southern california called Canyon Ridge. One of the best experiences in that situation

I want help but I’m so afraid of the hospital not giving me my anxiety meds that I’m worried I would choose Suicide..

You are getting out of your darkness, and that makes me very happy (:

Thank you so, so much for sharing this! I hope you find wellness in your treatment, and I hope your story can help others. I truly think it will.

This made me cry but in a good way. I've been sectioned three times and had other experiences of inpatient treatment. I have BPD, OCD and anxiety with psychotic symptoms and tics and I only function as a wife, mother and person because I take antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilisers. I'm currently in a mental health crisis now and my heart goes out to anyone else who is.

Thank you for sharing! Sad to hear that there are few to none activities provided for the patients. I hope this is going to change. Nothing worse then being depressed and having nothing to do

Thank you for sharing, your story helped me understand, even if it is just a little bit. I hope you are feeling better.

That is like a luxury boutique hotel. The psych wards that I've been (involuntarily) admitted to were medieval in comparison. I'm properly medicated and in treatment now, so hopefully I won't have to go there again, but if I do, I want it to be the one in your post.

Thank you for sharing this post. I'm not sure what the state of the facilities are here in the US. Mental health is a tremendously underfunded and under addressed problem here. I have had times where I thought I could benefit from some help but I'm afraid of being detained against my will or being medicated and restrained. Thank you again for the courage to share your experience.

When are we finally going to realize and accept that the brain is an organ that needs just as much care as your other organs? It’s sad to hear that in this day and age, there is still a stigma associated with mental disorders. More often than not, countless lives are lost because people are too embarrassed to ask for help. And don’t even get me started on the movies that portray mental hospitals in hope to get more ratings. Thank you for sharing.

People with mental illnesses are so brave and so kind. * Thank you for showing us this. Wishing you well. ___________* my psychologist told me that. And she is right. You are brave and kind.

I wish you the speediest recovery and I leave you with the quote " Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one remembers to turn on the light " - Albus Dumbledore

how did they take photos? you are not allowed personal items like phones and cameras