I'm currently an inpatient in a psych ward of the hospital and I decided to document a day in my life while here. HELP SUPPORT THE CHANNEL We depend on the support of our audience to create this valuable resource. If you have found our content helpful, please consider supporting us today. Your contribution can make a huge difference and enable us to continue providing valuable resources to those living with mental illness. • One-time donation: https://donate.stripe.com/9AQ6oV5S0eft5568ww • Monthly donation: https://www.patreon.com/livingwellwithschizophrenia JOIN OUR ONLINE PEER SUPPORT COMMUNITY Join a welcoming community of your peers and find comfort in sharing your experiences. By joining our community, you can benefit from the support of others who understand what you’re going through. We offer live weekly facilitated video peer support groups and text channels to communicate about a wide range of topics. Join today and start feeling less alone with what you’re going through. • Schizophrenia Peer Support Community: https://www.schizophreniapeersupport.com MENTAL HEALTH APPAREL Wear your support for mental health! Our t-shirts, sweaters, and mugs not only spread awareness but also help support this channel. Pick up some mental health apparel today and make a statement while making a difference. https://livingwell.myspreadshop.com/ SPEAKING & CONSULTING Looking for an expert speaker or consultant for your upcoming event or project? With years of experience and a passion for mental health advocacy, I can provide the insight and inspiration you need to make a positive impact. Visit my speaking website to learn more! https://www.laurenkennedywest.com/ SOCIALS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingwellwithschizophrenia/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livingwellschizophrenia Twitter: https://twitter.com/LWSchizophrenia Website: https://www.livingwellwithschizophrenia.org #schizophrenia #schizoaffective #schizoaffectivedisorder #mentalhealth #mentalillness #psychosis #psychward
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I was in psych lock down 2 weeks ago: no phone or computer, no fresh air, no sunshine, no therapy offered, I felt like I came out worse than I went in, and I was suicidal. Things MUST change. Our society is failing us.
It is shocking how different psych wards around the world are. I'm in Germany and here you are not supposed to be all alone in your room. You get a routine to follow. And this routine contains the gym, group therapy, single therapy, arts, meditation and other activities. There is a lot of talking between patients and the staff. Its like a controlled holiday.
Being able to have a phone and vlog in a psych unit is an absolute privilege
To Rob…I remember first hand the feeling of visiting my wife in the psych ward and then going home to two young kids. In a couple of weeks, we celebrate 48 years. Hang tough, man. She’s an impressive lady.
I've been in a psych ward over ten times during my 39 years of life. I'm haven't been in a psych ward since April of 2007. Which is awesome and I'm so proud of myself for that.
How difficult and painful it is to live with mental disorders. Those who do not have them will never understand what hell it is.
Thank you Rob for being supportive, selfless, understanding and caring with Lauren
I’ve had a mental breakdown and have PTSD, severe depression and anxiety. I went through a stay at a psych ward. I am a recluse I feel safe in my home. Praying for us who suffer from mental illness and pray for people to understand us. God Bless all.
She's so full of life and very articulate. Schizophrenia is such a cruel disease. I wish her nothing but the best.😊
Last week I went to the ER and someone was having a some sort of psychiatric break. She was clearly terrified and screaming. Seeing the way staff treated her was heartbreaking. I kept hearing her screaming “get off of me” and hearing the nurses giggling about “the pipes on that chick” and “it’s so and sos favorite patient”. It was very disheartening.
It always shocks me how different psych wards can be in different places. I was admitted to a psychiatric institution involuntarily and was there for 2 weeks. I had a roommate, we weren't allowed outside of our room from 9pm-7am and weren't allowed back in our room from 7am-7pm. Eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner was mandatory and we all had to be present in the cafeteria, no one was allowed to stay back. We had to attend group sessions to talk about battling mental illness and coping mechanisms. It wasn't very effective. We had a TV in the common area, but they wouldn't turn it on unless it was to watch a movie. I spent all of my free time reading and coloring. We weren't allowed to go outside and only had one window in the whole ward. It literally felt like prison.
I am in a YouTube rabbit hole right now. I do not experience anything remotely like what you are living with. I admire the hell out of how you have chosen to beautify and help our world. You are a strong and courageous woman. Thank you.
This was both hard to watch and incredible to watch. My extreme admiration goes out to you for documenting something so difficult. People casually talk of "mental health" as this amorphous concept. Your bravery in putting yourself out there and attaching a face to a facet of it is extraordinary. There are so many different struggles people go through. It's painful seeing someone having to live like that on a daily basis. I hope you realize just how much of a good you're doing by showing everyone that you can put one foot in front of the other, and that there is no stigma, only a struggle that people have to face down regularly, which takes a lot of strength. Thank you so much for what you show us all.
Watching Rob walk away back to normal life outside was so sad, but honest.
As a schizotypal person, I find this video instructive. I have similar delusions to Lauren, but somewhat differently. Lauren is on the cutting edge of mental health for us neurodivergent folks. I applaud her bravery!
My mom was in psych wards multiple times. The last time, I warned the nurses that she was lying and just putting on a face of someone that was “fine” and was there for no reason. I told them to not listen to anything she was saying and the nurses said that they would tell the doctors. She was out and back home two day later.. Exactly ONE week later, she committed suicide! My mom was always the person that everyone wanted to be around. She was beautiful, kind, intelligent, and the life of the party. NO ONE expected her to do what she did EXCEPT her kids. My brothers and I seen this side of her every day. It was very hard listening to the side that everyone else got because she had been saying for five years that this was what she was going to do😢 Miss you mom❤
this is a freaking 5 star hotel.....the place I went...you can not go outside.... cant have phones, cant talk to the other sex, also we could not even be alone any where....wow. I know this is a year old, but you are a strong person and a beautiful soul. Edit* Thank you for all the likes.
When I’m in psychosis I’m very sensitive to sounds like slamming doors, people talking around me, people laughing and being happy. I get irritable and suspicious. I tend to revolt against my husband and put all of my ire on him, blame him, and become suspicious of him. It’s nice to see you with Rob and being able to smile and talk about what’s happening. You are very self-aware and seem to understand your illness well, which is more than most of us can say. I hope you can get out soon. We are all rooting for you!
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Can I say that seeing how her partner supports her during this challenging time is more comforting than anything else? As a person who is severely mentally ill, seeing that there is still hope in finding a life-long partner that will accept me for who I am is more impactful than anything I could ever find on the internet. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing your authentic self online. It really helps those who are struggling to feel seen and understood.