Comments on: Why asylum shouldn’t be a dirty word in mental healthcare http://saynotostigma.com/2010/04/why-asylum-shouldnt-be-a-dirty-word-in-mental-healthcare/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=why-asylum-shouldnt-be-a-dirty-word-in-mental-healthcare a blog of The Menninger Clinic Sun, 19 May 2013 21:30:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Marion Janner http://saynotostigma.com/2010/04/why-asylum-shouldnt-be-a-dirty-word-in-mental-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-234 Marion Janner Sun, 18 Jul 2010 19:17:04 +0000 http://saynotostigma.com/?p=412#comment-234 Thanks for helping balance out the compounded stigma of hospitals and hospitalisation. As a student I was highly influenced by Goffman's book Asylums, and this probably over-politicised me so that when I was 'compulsorily detained' (in a UK hospital), I was at first completely freaked out. I was expecting to experience something between Goffman's vivid descriptions of the cruelty of long-stay hospitals and the horrific brutality of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's nest. In fact, it was a gentle and healing time. Since then I've back as an inpatient a few times and through my work (www.starwards.org.uk) have visited many hospitals around Britain. Asylum, sanctuary, respite - all features of the sheer relief of being somewhere safe, caring and therapeutic. Thanks for helping balance out the compounded stigma of hospitals and hospitalisation. As a student I was highly influenced by Goffman’s book Asylums, and this probably over-politicised me so that when I was ‘compulsorily detained’ (in a UK hospital), I was at first completely freaked out. I was expecting to experience something between Goffman’s vivid descriptions of the cruelty of long-stay hospitals and the horrific brutality of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s nest. In fact, it was a gentle and healing time.

Since then I’ve back as an inpatient a few times and through my work (www.starwards.org.uk) have visited many hospitals around Britain. Asylum, sanctuary, respite – all features of the sheer relief of being somewhere safe, caring and therapeutic.

]]> By: pacificpsych http://saynotostigma.com/2010/04/why-asylum-shouldnt-be-a-dirty-word-in-mental-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-169 pacificpsych Mon, 24 May 2010 19:03:43 +0000 http://saynotostigma.com/?p=412#comment-169 Hi Jon, I was agreeing with you there - always been a big fan of the term asylum - till the bit about psychopharmacology. Pity Menninger couldn't maintain a more drug-lite environment than the rest of the sordid mess known as psychiatry. Daria. Hi Jon,

I was agreeing with you there – always been a big fan of the term asylum – till the bit about psychopharmacology. Pity Menninger couldn’t maintain a more drug-lite environment than the rest of the sordid mess known as psychiatry.

Daria.

]]> By: Walker Ogden http://saynotostigma.com/2010/04/why-asylum-shouldnt-be-a-dirty-word-in-mental-healthcare/comment-page-1/#comment-114 Walker Ogden Sun, 25 Apr 2010 17:17:33 +0000 http://saynotostigma.com/?p=412#comment-114 Jon, Excellent analysis of the systems in place. I served on the MHMR board in Texarkana, Texas for several years during the time our state institutions were discharging their patients into the community. Through first hand experience I understand why so many community mental health movements did not achieve many of their goals. In our situation it was frequently a matter of "not in my back yard" mentality. This mentality creates difficult situations at best, making it extremely difficult to provide aslyum for many of those patients in need. Fortunately, my time here at Menninger provides me the opportunity to view the opposite side of the coin. I can truly appreciate the goals and work being done and am able to recognize the efforts for continual improvement. To you and all staff, keep up the good work. Walker Jon,
Excellent analysis of the systems in place. I served on the MHMR board in Texarkana, Texas for several years during the time our state institutions were discharging their patients into the community. Through first hand experience I understand why so many community mental health movements did not achieve many of their goals. In our situation it was frequently a matter of “not in my back yard” mentality. This mentality creates difficult situations at best, making it extremely difficult to provide aslyum for many of those patients in need. Fortunately, my time here at Menninger provides me the opportunity to view the opposite side of the coin. I can truly appreciate the goals and work being done and am able to recognize the efforts for continual improvement. To you and all staff, keep up the good work.
Walker

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