im torn. the long term private places were a mixed bag, too...probably better than the state hospitals, in most areas, most of the time, but...really, that's not saying a whole lot.

my hospitalizations were -not- helpful. both were traumatic. the first destroyed me, until I (I think miraculously) recovered, reconciled with my family, got healthy, and moved on with life. The 2nd was marked by unprofessional behavior from pretty much everyone involved in my care, then some insurance fraud. both were private facilities. and yet...

honestly, there have been times i wanted to be in a real, life -asylum- , as in...a place to be more or less out of society, largely because...being 'severely mentally ill' in often difficult for me because of labels and stigma, and the conflict between what people think of when they think 'psych patient' and what they see in me, hear from me, etc. basically...as is the case with a lot of people, i seem to be 'in recovery' -despite- society, not because of it.

but that's just me. i also see severely mentally ill people who need care and experience nothing but deprivation and pain in society...but no one seems to care. even the mental health 'professionals,' at least the bulk of the ones in the community system ive dealt with, seem to think the answer is more antipsychotics, more psych control, a job they approve of, etc...

what about just rest and retreat, space? not exactly the most hi-tech medical advance ever, but...important, nonetheless.