[–] 1-Pist-Optimus ago
If they can't run the VA, what makes anyone believe they can administer a loony bin? Put the effort where it is deserved. They started taking away Vet's benefits long ago. Now they've done the same to Social Security. Short Term the bastards and turn the administration back to the states where the neighbors can be heard when their locals go crooked. The whole damn country has been allowed to relinquish their responsibilities. The "buck" slid off the desk and into the trash can long ago!
[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
[–] UnbreakablePatriot 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago (edited ago)
I see your point and yet there is madness we do need to deal with whether or not there is a test.
My sister who was already struggling with special needs due to an extra chromosome and failing spinal column in her neck, started to hear voices when she turned 18. She was never on any brain altering drugs before this. She said the FBI was going to kill her. She wouldn't wear black or blue clothes anymore and was living in fear of them killing her. Before this she was just a happy loving girl.
Her voices are not a danger to society, but others are. She is hard to calm down when the schizophrenio clicks on. You can see it in her eyes. It is not the same girl. There is madness, and we just need to find a way to not institutionalize people unless they really need it to make sure it isn't abused. Maybe you need 2-3 outside opinions and multiple family members showing video evidence to a court that the person is a danger to society? I don't know, but some people's madness will drive them to kill others or themselves.
Edit: I would never want my sister in one but she isn't violent. She is hard to deal with, but not a danger. And maybe she is the smart one to fear the fbi.
[–] Anonymous171717 0 points 4 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago
There are a ton of abandoned asylums all over the US. Perhaps they need to be reacquired by the state (each state government).
[–] OptimusPrime4 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Absolutely I remember several mental institutions in the town where I grew up. I was appalled at their lunacy when I happened to visit one because kids just never saw such things out on the streets, unlike today where they are everywhere. Go to the local mall and you’ll be sure to run into one, and the panhandlers. Today there are dangerous bipolar government employees protected by unions and HIPPA rules that hide their crazy info from Human Resources and supervisors. They go off their meds and threaten and intimidate coworkers and return to work after a brief “hospital stay”. Some managers find them to be useful idiots.
Nursing homes have been turned into psyche units that allow these sick ones free range to act out putting seniors at their mercy. There just are not enough units to treat so many out there.
[–] numina18 ago
There SHOULD be places where overwhelmed people can go to rest, recuperate and return to society. Many people think, when they are overwhelmed, they should go to the nearest psych ward for help. Unless they are totally suicidal, and this can happen, they should not go near these places. But, there is nowhere else to go. When you go to a psych ward for help, you usually get one thing: Medication. The wrong thing. what you really need is a safe place where your deficiencies can be assessed and corrected. I mean physiological deficiencies. This never happens. People do not understand that brains need many nutrient to function properly. Also, drugs can cause brain problems. We need a completely different approach to helping mentally distressed people.
[–] USAMatters [S] ago
My father was a psychiatrist and he always felt getting to the bottom of depression was first to check if the patient lacked some nutrient. He would have his patients do a complete blood test and he tested a number of items that were not necessary tested by the family doctor. Once he found the patient's physical deficiencies - lack of iodine or some other trace element, or any other physical body condition that could be resolved, would often lead to attitude improvements.
Then he would work on improving the patient's self esteem, their ability to set healthy goals, get out in the sun and move around. Often his sessions were outside where they would walk talk. When he did not have sessions, he would sit with the patients and teach them how to play chess.
He would say the best things to do for mental health was to get your body as healthy as possible, supplement any deficient nutrients, get a positive support network, move close to the bay, buy a boat & learn how to fish. He worked in the VA hospital - mostly male patients. They loved him at the hospital - his sessions were often outside "for a walk and a talk". He would almost always be available for a long walk or a cup of coffee. He would tell his patience, we will get through this - the days will be brighter.
Not uncommon to hear "Hey, Doc, you got time for a walk?".
He would say to me - if you have done something that bothers you - put steps in place to correct the situation, don't do it again and do not let guilt own you - apologize if you need to and then work to make you stronger and things will start to fall into place.
As would b expected - he was a very good listener and a sweet, kind man. He died when I was young & decades later - I still miss him.