I've been not able to take fresh flowers to Deborah's graveside. They only allow reefs for the winter months. I hope that the issue of mental health will be forefront in our conversations and efforts to address this big issue. My second eldest daughter had her first day as a student nurse on the psyche ward today. Not only is the subject so personal to her, but she is in the same hospital that her sister was treated at, as well as the same wards. The sad reality of it all was that, an elementary school friend was also admitted as a patient there. They were best friends way back when.. She tells me also that had Deborah been only 17 when she developed psychosis, then she would have gone to a much more lovelier place in the hospital. A place with student desks with computers, lunch rooms, and colorful walls. Since she was 18 when admitted she had the bleak barred windows, with broken glass, gated nurses stations, and quiet rooms with foam walls, and hospital beds. This has hit her close to home, and once a person is deemed a threat to themselves and to others it is only a psychiatrist that can sign them off or out of hospital. Deborah was not a threat to herself, or to others at the time of her hospitalization, but by law she was not able to leave. A large amount of medication is administered to the patients, and they must take them. I couldn't help but watch a movie called 'Awakening" with Robert Williams the other day. Sometimes medications help and others harm individuals. Please share under comment box any experience you may have had in your families or friendship circles with the topic of mental health, respectful of confidentiality..
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