Non Traditional Materials

Historically, people who were revoked of their own voice for being “difficult” and mentally ill were controlled with vices like straight jackets, electric shock therapy, and even lobotomies with ice picks. Although many of these practices have been vetted, altered, and outlawed, abusive practices still exist. Agitation among patients today is met with handcuffs and padded rooms as well as heavy medication and tranquilizers instead of straight-jackets and lobotomies. Solitary confinement continues, even though we have learned that solitude can lead to further mental instability. Help and stigmas for the mentally ill have changed minimally. When a person seeks help, they are often met with dismissive responses, belittling remarks, and insensitive comments. It should come at no surprise that people feel trapped and are afraid to open up and seek help.  In reality, mental hospitals appear to be really different today, but a lot of the same problems still persist, including the way in which patients are treated once admitted.