Posted by kazoo on June 18, 2001, at 1:01:33
In reply to future of asylums, posted by juniper on June 17, 2001, at 19:58:10
> I used to frequent this board more, at times when things were going pretty poorly. I'm now in grad. school and (as many who have psychological problems tend to do) studying mental health, and am back to where I received lots of information and support, though now for a different reason. I've been studying about the future of mental health, and wondering specifically about the future of asylums...obviously, our mental health policy is not working (jails are the largest "inpatient" facilities, the many with mental disorders who live on the street). Where is the best place for individuals who have chronic and debilitating mental disorders? Do asylums have a place in America?
> I'm curious as to what the psychobabble community thinks....
>
> Blessings to everyone on the journey,
> Juniper^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Juniper, my dear ...
The world's largest, open-air lunatic "asylum" in America is called "LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA" where the art of folding road maps is deemed a thought-provoking, transcendental and viable occupation. I can highly recommend LA for all walking, talking Looney Tunes, thank you Jack Warner.
Actually, the word "asylum" is considered politically and socially incorrect here in the States. One must not be offensive when talking about, or to, the insane, you know. This might hurt their feelings. I'm trying to think of a good euphemism ... "please stay on the line and a service representative will be with you shortly, before you die..."
In answering your question re. the future of "asylums," this is dependent on your bank account (as always). If you're rich, you go to "spas" or "retreats" or "celebrity clinics." If you're broke, you're stuck in a government run institution where you would be lucky to get out alive, not to mention cured.
"Oh, the humanity ..."
You hit the nail on the head with your statement about jails. In America, they send the mentally ill (or retarded) to jail, or execute them (although this is changing). See! Hope *is* a thing with feathers, sniff, sniff, Emily, I love you so ...
Now about that euphemism ...
kazoo
poster:kazoo
thread:6505
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010611/msgs/6511.html