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[–]UpCDownCLeftCRightC 2720 points2721 points  (32 children)

This was actually really sweet and made me appreciate going outside.

Also that burger with the rhubarb jam sounds delicious.

[–]Made_Bail 444 points445 points  (27 children)

I'm a slut for rhubarb anything.

[–]UpCDownCLeftCRightC 151 points152 points  (14 children)

Just the thought of adding sweet jam on some savory meat is an instant sell. Blueberry chicken wings? Hell yeah.

[–]MetalSonic_69 76 points77 points  (3 children)

A Krabby Patty made with jellyfish jelly

[–]shellbullet17Gustopher Spotter Extraordinaire 42 points43 points  (0 children)

Are ye messin with me formula sponge boy me bob?

[–]bobthegoon89 23 points24 points  (0 children)

Hey man, you've GOT to try this sandwich -- it's no ordinary sandwich!!

[–]UpCDownCLeftCRightC 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Right behind 90's cartoon cheese pizza thus was the cartoon food I always wanted.

[–]Bonavire 17 points18 points  (5 children)

Cranberry sauce on turkwy, and applesauce on pork chops work for a reason 😁

[–]CardOk755 10 points11 points  (4 children)

For the English among us, lamb with mint sauce, or if you're daring, mint jelly.

[–]thefutureisbulletprf 4 points5 points  (2 children)

As an American, I've never heard of this. Telling my fiancé about it now to see if we can make it happen. 👀

[–]MintasaurusFresh 4 points5 points  (1 child)

As an American, mint pairs really well with lamb. You won't be disappointed.

[–]MaritMonkey 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm American and have not even thought about mint jelly in probably 30 years but my mom used to serve it with lamb like once a month and now it's stuck in my brain like the chorus of a song I can't quite remember.

Guess I need to go shopping...

[–]s0m3on3outthere 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Mango Habanero wings and Jalapeno Honey 🤤🤤 I love combo flavor profiles. Sweet with spicy, savory with sweet, etc.

If you like pickles, I can eat Famous Dave's Devil's Spit pickles (can buy in grocery stores) like candy! They are sweet pickles with a helluva kick!

[–]TheIncredibleMrJones 3 points4 points  (0 children)

For some reason, those are hard to find by me. And I live in Minnesota!

[–]Tankeverket 2 points3 points  (1 child)

You might love this burger I had a while back:

160 grams of meat, cream cheese, blackberry jam, portobello mushroom, caramelized onion, bacon, lettuce, triple cheddar.

Very delicious and the bun was a very soft and airy home baked style bun

[–]UpCDownCLeftCRightC 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think I just clogged my artery and my non-existent child's artery just by reading that.

That was a positive if that wasn't clear.

[–]EvilDan69 12 points13 points  (3 children)

Same!
Strawberry Rhubarb pie is my fav pie.

[–]readonlyuser 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I even got a tattoo of em I like em so much!

[–]DashLeapyear 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My childhood neighbors grew rhubarb in their garden, so I grew up with rhubarb cake, rhubarb crisp, and rhubarb muffins every summer. It's wonderful.

[–]Korhanp 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My chef friend used to cook in a nearby pub. She always had a slice of pineapple in the burger bun atop the meat. Best burgers I had. I digged the idea of a jam in a burger already :)

[–]vipperofvipp 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Now i have to find a place in Portland that makes this to try it

[–]WillingArm2463 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A nice comic but I, too, am here for the rhubarb deets.

[–]babypho3nix 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've always disliked rhubarb but I would legit be into trying that.

[–]Made_Bail 562 points563 points  (17 children)

Lipstick for blush? Is that a normal makeup hack?

Imma tell my daughters.

[–]lil-caroLil Caro[S] 442 points443 points  (7 children)

Its pretty common! I like how it always matches the lipstick but also I hate buying one million makeup products

[–]Gaskychan 90 points91 points  (2 children)

I got a blush stick that works for lips, cheeks and eyeshadow. Multipurpose Make up is great

[–]Feinyan 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Please link us which one you use!

[–]GimmeHerpes 19 points20 points  (0 children)

It's also my favorite hack for the same reason. It also lasts longer than powdered blush.

[–]Prestigious_Army5547 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I also do eyeshadow with it so I match everything 💄

[–]iloveebunnies 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi! This is so cute! Another way to get that sunburn flush is to make sure you’re applying it across the bridge of your nose :) it feels like blush overload at first but it makes a difference. Maybe you already do this 🤷‍♀️

[–]ad-lib1994 50 points51 points  (1 child)

You can theoretically do a full face of make up with just a lipstick, but a very simple look since the eyeshadow is one shade and the same as the lips

[–]One_Surprise_8924 18 points19 points  (0 children)

please don't use lipstick for eyeshadow! eyes are special and you should only used makeup that's advertised for eyes in that area.

[–]littlelorax 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I think I learned that trick from Cosmo back in the day. Honestly I used the trick for a performance I was in recently. I forgot to pack my makeup but had lipstick in my purse, it did great for a little blush, some light eye shadow, and obviously lips. You have to blend it out, but it does look cute!

[–]Frequent-Meal6550 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I use lip stain, but you gotta work fast.

[–]akscully 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's a pretty common one! It's also an old school one

[–]stilljustacatinacage 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a non-makeup-using-person, what I've heard in passing is that "colour is colour". I can't remember exactly what they were using where, but for what it's worth I couldn't tell any difference.

But I am also very dumb. So take that for what it's worth.

[–]Logical-Breakfast966 597 points598 points  (99 children)

Why do they not let you see outside wtf

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 532 points533 points  (62 children)

they don't let you do a lot of things. I will do everything possible to never go back

[–]Logical-Breakfast966 238 points239 points  (55 children)

Is there a reason for not seeing outside? Seems needlessly cruel

[–]someawfulbitch 410 points411 points  (25 children)

In my experience, they want you to not want to come back. Whether or not they actually help you is....not always a priority... I'm sure this varies by facility.

[–]WastingMyLifeToday 227 points228 points  (18 children)

I guess I'm too European to understand this.

The two places I've been to were practically an aquarium, glass walls everywhere with a view on some park or forest.

[–]WinjinComic Crossover 165 points166 points  (4 children)

Even Russian psych wards are WAY nicer than this, it's crazy to see that they don't get sun time

My friend went to psych ward twice, on his own accord, voluntarily, because it was either this or he'll just murder the next person that inconveniences him, so far they helped him a lot

And he said it's like a regular state hospital. Nothing too fancy, nothing too ugly, but you do have walks, the sun, recreation, the whole nine yards.

No news, no TV, no Internet though. He always says it's probably one of the main things that help you get better there, lol.

[–]WastingMyLifeToday 64 points65 points  (3 children)

Here they often have a two week disconnect rule, no phone, no internet, no TV, ...

This can actually be very helpful to reset your brain and mental state of mind.

After that, they'll slowly let you use those a bit more, but the time is limited and can depend on the progress you're making.

[–]abadstrategy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I was in a Crisis Stabilization Unit (ironically, less restrictive than the hospital I was in first). It was set up to be like a proper residence, dorm style. They had a lot of rules that seemed restrictive at first, like no caffeine after 7, cigarettes had to be kept in the office with the meds (though they also provided them if you were unable to get your own), and enforced a routine. But, like, you also had activities to do, and as you got better, you could do more. Like, you could go out and walk amongst the community unsupervised once you reached a certain threshold, and it's actually really good at making you feel normal again

[–]WinjinComic Crossover 1 point2 points  (1 child)

He was there quite a time ago, but I feel like the rules are kinda similar. Maybe it's some modern universal standard? I feel like he told me there was an option to do it, but he voluntarily declined, but I may be making it up.

[–]someawfulbitch 37 points38 points  (3 children)

I imagine that in the places in Europe that you are thinking of, they are actually investing the money into these facilities so that the mode of patients not returning is that their mental health is actually improved, whereas in the USA, they resist investing money into mental health facilities, instead telling people to basically think their way through their own issues, so the mode of patients not returning is to make the experience so shitty that afterwards the patients will just try to tough out whatever their issues are instead of seeking help again.

[–]Jacketter 28 points29 points  (0 children)

I guarantee the US pays more but still gets less in this situation. Always the case for healthcare.

[–]ragerqueen 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Our healthcare facilities are literally being left to rot but a friend of mine who attempted suicide was staying in a completely normal hospital-looking building when we visited her. We talked outside on the benches while we smoked. Unless someone is high risk, not being allowed to go outside or see the sun is just torture.

[–]WastingMyLifeToday 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In some cases I can understand not being allowed to go outside, like suicide risk, risk to hurt others, risk to run away when not mentally stable, ...

But clear glass is cheaper than tinted glass, so there's absolutely no reason to block an outside view or sunlight.

There's also often a grass patch in the open air in the middle of the building, surrounded completely and no rain pipes or anything to prevent an escape.

[–]OddlyTemptedFish 19 points20 points  (3 children)

I’m realizing how lucky my wife was. We’re in the US and she had to be involuntarily committed due to a mental illness that runs in her family. The place they took her to was amazing. The staff actually cared and was super attentive, group sessions were always done outside on the grass, they had multiple options at meal time, and it was completely free. We get her meds dispensed at their in-house pharmacy now and they always find a way to make it either heavily discounted or free.

We actually had to go down there today to pick up meds and in the parking lot they had volunteers from the local library signing people up for library cards.

[–]WastingMyLifeToday 10 points11 points  (2 children)

That's great to hear, hope your wife is doing better and will continue to improve.

Mental healthcare should be like that, easily accessible and actually a good experience.

[–]OddlyTemptedFish 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Thanks for saying that, she’s doing great now! She had a year long episode of psychosis, it was a hell for her and those who care about her. I truly believe if she hadn’t landed in the hands of genuinely caring professionals she would’ve ended up taking her own life or even mine if I’m being honest. She’s been stable for almost a year now and it’s night and day. Shes back to her old self, happy, calm, friendly, patient. She’s even made friends with some of the staff that helped her and goes out to lunch with them.

We do as much as we can to advocate for actual healthcare in the US so more people can receive the opportunity she did.

[–]WastingMyLifeToday [score hidden]  (0 children)

Healthcare should be a basic human right, especially mental healthcare, where the costs are often mostly in finding the right medicine and being able to talk to someone.

I'm glad she got the help she needed from a caring staff.

[–]constantpisspig 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Yeah like most things in the US mental healthcare is a fucking nightmare. I worked it for a few years, fuckin depressing.

[–]Other-Revolution-347 10 points11 points  (0 children)

My experience was they had a guy with no teeth with us.

Know what they served us for lunch? Store bought super crispy breaded chicken tenders and a side of Mac and cheese.

They refused to give him anything else or even give him a bigger serving of the food he could eat.

So me and 2 other guys split his chicken and gave up our sides so he could actually have enough food.

[–]Evepaul [score hidden]  (0 children)

Same, in the psychiatric clinic I visited they tried to make us go outside as much as possible. It was on the side of a mountain next to a small village, so walks through the village every morning, walks in the mountain forest in the afternoon, all kinds of outdoor sports our psychiatrists signed us up for. Thankfully no team sports.

I requested to be signed up to as many things as possible, keeping busy helped a lot.

I'd recommend going to anyone who has the opportunity to.

[–]Natgeo1201 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My one and only inpatient experience has unironically helped my mental health by being so horrendously pointless and terrible that I will never let myself get that depressed again out of pure spite.

[–]TrulyWhatever09 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am sure it does vary by facility, but I will say, I have friends who attribute the fact that they are still alive to getting inpatient care when they needed it. The system does absolutely need to be reformed and improved.

[–]gwion35 2 points3 points  (1 child)

While I honestly think the end result is the same so it doesn’t matter the rationale, from my experience it hasn’t been an intentional thing just a budget one. The staff working are so over worked that they get jaded and stop caring, or still care but their hands are tied if they want to actually change anything.

When I had my stay during college, my original 72 hour hold turned into a 5-6 day stay because it was a holiday weekend and the hospital decided they didn’t want an on call psych doctor since their main guy took the holiday weekend off. Do I think the choice of not having proper staffing, and thus not having proper patient care, was an intentional choice? Absolutely. However I think the decision was based on saving money more so than a hostile architecture situation.

At the end of the day, the effect is the same. People don’t want to go back because it’s usually a terrible experience.

[–]WastingMyLifeToday 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It was a decade ago for me, but I remember the staff being quite motivated. Sure, there were some who lost their drive a bit, but the overall staff was quite great.

The weekend thing... That does happen here as well. While there are psychologists on site during the weekend, psychiatrists aren't always in site during weekends unless you're in an bigger hospital or really big psych ward. And only psychiatrists can discharge you in certain cases.

[–]rhinoreno 19 points20 points  (0 children)

The one I went to had a small outside backyard. Just with tall brick walls with barbed wires.

[–]EpicOtterLoverI like to whine it, whine it 9 points10 points  (1 child)

In my experience, they just didn't have anywhere for us to go. Can't exactly bring a bunch of suicidal people to the street.

[–]Logical-Breakfast966 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh that makes sense I guess. God damn

[–]Majestic-Sandwich695 19 points20 points  (0 children)

Very few people are open about their experiences if they ever went to a “bad” ward, because they are essentially deprivation torture with sadistic staff who keep you drugged up to the point you stop feeling time pass. No privacy and sleep is routinely interrupted. Many would rather suffer alone than go to one.

[–]reddit-sucks6969 33 points34 points  (1 child)

Psych wards prioritize you not being able to leave or communicate with the outside at all in an unmonitored manner. Someone could walk by and flash a sign at your window giving you instructions to escape, or you could hallucinate that you saw something outside in the uncontrolled environment. Being in a psych ward like this is the highest level of psych care. At lower levels of care the patients can go on walks, smoke outside, borrow bikes and even go to work.

[–]Ok_Presentation_2346 16 points17 points  (9 children)

I suspect (without any evidence, experience, or relative expertise, let's be clear about that) that it is more about keeping people from seeing in than seeing out.

[–]Logical-Breakfast966 2 points3 points  (8 children)

Why does that matter. Unless you’re on the first floor on a busy street. Hospitals have windows

[–]aHumanMale 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Basically the conditions in there are absolute shit and it’s in the psych ward’s best interest to keep it that way ($$$). Patients generally cannot advocate for themselves or hold the facility accountable for the various laws they’re breaking, not least of all because people and institutions tend not to take psych patients seriously when they report. 

So they’ve got a cornered market of lawless insurance mills as long as nobody on the outside decides what’s going on inside is actually important. 

That’s at least a big part of it. These places are always ridiculously understaffed as well so there are a lot of cruel shortcuts like this taken to cut down on disturbances that would require personnel, like a patient hallucinating that they saw someone outside for example. 

[–]Ok_Presentation_2346 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If you are asking for a reasonable, sufficient reason, I don't have one for you.

[–]Freki-the-Feral 4 points5 points  (0 children)

So people don't see the deplorable conditions inside.

[–]BeepBoopRobo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Privacy. Imagine seeing someone you know who had a mental breakdown and was in psychiatric care.

It's not something that most people would want to share. Being in a hospital could be for anything. Being in psychiatric care isn't.

[–]Mr_Roboto17 17 points18 points  (2 children)

I'll never forget driving an hour to a psych ward with my parents, only for the man at the reception area to literally tell me not to check myself in. He literally told me, "if you're not about to commit suicide, DON'T DO IT." I could hear someone having a breakdown from where were. I looked at my parents, they looked even more worried than I felt in that moment. We decided I'd try outpatient therapy. This was in central Texas, probably about ten years ago

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 4 points5 points  (1 child)

partial hospitalization or iop are much much better. that dude did you a solid

[–]Mr_Roboto17 3 points4 points  (0 children)

100% agree. He was looking out for me and I'll always appreciate that. Took some time but I'm actually pretty stable now after getting properly diagnosed and on the right meds + therapy.

[–]whoisfourthwall 5 points6 points  (1 child)

it also depends on the country, in some of the ones i am familiar with... you might even consider actual prison to be better.

Underfunded, overworked staff that no longer cares, barely enough facilities and supplies, etc.

A lot of people think that when a criminal is sentenced to mental confinement it is a get out of jail free card but the conditions might actually be worse depending on country.

Somewhere in SEA btw. Obviously not singapore, their jails and wards are like a worlds apart from the rest of SEA.

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you're right.I should have said I was in the us. it totally depends on city/state/country

[–]smokeweedNgarden 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sorry to hear that. The one I was in was newly built so it very much had a spaceship vibe. But they also had an area with fresh air you could go once a day.

It was actually very nice for the state I was in. Especially the cheese sticks

[–]StragglingShadow 65 points66 points  (12 children)

1 way windows to let you see out but not others in is expensive. Its cheap to simply blot out windows so privacy is maintained.

[–]Logical-Breakfast966 33 points34 points  (11 children)

But every single window doesn’t need to protect privacy.

Also wait you don’t get outside time??

I’m so sorry anybody had to experience this

[–]StragglingShadow 10 points11 points  (0 children)

No. Not always. Outside time depended on if they haf the staff allowances for it. In a 2 week stint I went outside 4 times total once.

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 15 points16 points  (8 children)

no outside time

I also wasn't allowed to sleep. but that was because of my specific location

[–]Logical-Breakfast966 9 points10 points  (1 child)

Wtf. I’m sorry that happened. Also that that’s legal

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 15 points16 points  (0 children)

it probably wasn't but vulnerable populations are vulnerable so

[–]WrongZone1747 2 points3 points  (5 children)

Not allowed to sleep?? That's insane

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 11 points12 points  (4 children)

they didn't have enough staff to watch me sleep and I had a CPAP machine and I could in theory do "bad things" with access to the outlet or the plug or the tubing. so I could only use it when they had someone who could watch me and I refused to sleep without it

[–]WrongZone1747 3 points4 points  (3 children)

I mean I guess that kinda makes sense...

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 4 points5 points  (2 children)

they also made me stop taking my diabetes meds and would just give me insulin. I didn't eat for 7 days. never get committed after Wednesday if you can help it because many places won't release you on the weekends. so a 72 hour hold can turn into a week

[–]TheCthonicSystem 4 points5 points  (1 child)

I think I'd rather die than get institutionalised. They do realise they aren't helping people right?

[–]rabid_cheese_enjoyer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I don't think many care

[–]Dimfira 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I work in a facility like this, I could see someone rationalizing it as a potential HIPAA violation? If someone sees a patient in a facility that COULD be considered a violation. That being said, at least where I work, there is a minimum amount of time daily a patient is offered outside. I'm really sad that OP had the right taken away.

[–]HalfMoonMintStars 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I spent most of my time last time I was in the ward watching the cars drive around and envying their freedom. Maybe they just don’t want you seeing how free everyone else is and getting depressed

[–]Nkechinyerembi 6 points7 points  (1 child)

Depends on the facility... Some REALLY suck.

[–]The_Phantom_Cat 6 points7 points  (3 children)

Psych wards are functionally just prisons

[–]Logical-Breakfast966 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Prisons get outside time

[–]BaronessofBara 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Psych Wards ARE prisons, the only difference is that you still have normal rights when you get out and you don't get yard time.

[–]Hoibot 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went to a similar thing and it was mostly about being observed at all times and being close to medical personel. There was a group walk once a day after lunch if you wanted to, but some of the more serious cases had to stay inside. Also if anything happened to me it'd be their responsibility and they weren't looking to get sued.

This wasn't a mental institute, so the rules were somewhat lax. Most people just had epilepsy and could get hurt in unattended.

[–]BlueDahlia123 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I've never worked in a psych ward, but I am studying in related matters.

The thing you have to understand is that there is a pretty big gap between what a place like that attempts to do, and what it is able to do.

In principle, the ward wants the patients to get better, to do exercises and practices and sessions with all of them to help them once they get back out. In practice this us a lot more messy. Patients have relapses, progress timelines look like roller coaster tracks, and interacting with other patients can have very unpredictable consequences, good or bad.

The end result is that they take what they consider the safest approach. Baby steps with everyone, while minimizing the chance of set backs. They want 0 steps backwards, even if it means just half a step forward. And that means no risks. The patient is only allowed autonomy after they get the okay, and that's autonomy on a tight leash. Nothing that could risk harming themselves, even if it means nothing that could help with self expression. Nothing that could mean a flight risk, even if it means nothing that could give a sense of independence.

[–]frissio 101 points102 points  (0 children)

There's something grim to hear that you couldn't see the sun and sky for so long.

Perhaps there's a reason for it, but that doesn't sound conducive to recovery.

[–]Clocktopu5 147 points148 points  (0 children)

God DAMN do I love this art style! I like the use of directional line, I like the way things and people are positioned, I freaking love the colors, all of this is just incredibly appealing to me!

[–]Tired-CottonCandy 62 points63 points  (3 children)

For the record, you also described a jail/juvie. In jail there were no windows, and the "outside" was a 3 story square fenced over the top and tarped over with a mesh over the fence. In juvie, you got a frosted window, but the same "outside" you simply never saw the sun at all. And the sky had a cloud in the tiny square of meshed over blue all of once. Otherwise, it looked like the painted walls of the building. The same blue.

[–]Smeg-life 13 points14 points  (1 child)

The solitary jail cell I was in the window was mounted vertically 4 inches wide, 2 foot tall and completely frosted.

By comparison the psych ward sounds wonderful.

[–]Tired-CottonCandy 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Isolation and general population are for sure different. In the juvie i went to, it was just the same type of cell in a different area. In the jail, they were designed to make you crazy. All blue, including the lights, blue paper clothes, floor slanted towards a drain, etc.

[–]Dazed_and_Confused44 21 points22 points  (1 child)

Lipstick blush has me thinking about eye black in football but a more feminine version haha

[–]Ok-Onion2905 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Last panel was some wholesome gremlin activities, you go girl!

[–]BodhingJay 18 points19 points  (3 children)

ive never been but probably should have a bunch of times... but the paranoia strikes when I get bad and I feel like the psych ward is almost designed to make a person more crazy. until the desperation hits new levels and just learn to mask well enough to get out... outta survival

[–]snarbuckle 16 points17 points  (2 children)

I think the people who design psych wards are not the same people who experience life as a patient. They're completely out of touch with the reality of life in these places, and on top of that value managing liability over treating patients humanely

[–]Arts_Messyjourney 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I loved your story!

[–]Dense_Owl_3022 10 points11 points  (9 children)

As anyone who has been inpatient knows, there are few environments on Earth more consciously designed to drive and keep you insane than a psych ward. First thing I did when I got out was go skinny dipping at my favorite spot.

This was very touching, and brought back some memories.

[–]TheCthonicSystem 4 points5 points  (8 children)

We really ought to abolish these places

[–]Dense_Owl_3022 9 points10 points  (5 children)

We've come a long way from chaining them to the bed and partial lobotomies... but we've got a long way to go. My most optimistic take is that we're still in the "4 humors" stage of mental health, epistemologically speaking ( to say nothing of the perverse economic incentives, which corrupt the entire enterprise). We'll probably just have to suffer another ~200 years of horrors till it gets better.

[–]dear_hatt 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I often find that people who said that, often have no other thoughts beyond that 

[–]jhill515 21 points22 points  (2 children)

My wife jokes with me about when she picked me up from the psych hospital: I hung my head out the car window as much as I could, to breathe "The Free Air once more" (bonus points if you get the LotR reference)!

Well, we drove past a garbage dump followed by a sewage treatment plant... Both within a mile of the hospital! 🤣

Same "outdoor exposure" care as OP. I don't even smoke and I was begging for one just to have 10min of sky in my two weeks of "treatment". Of course, I was denied. And the best part is that I was in the "safe" ward, where no one is violent or going to run. No runners. But there was one violent incident (cops got called; dude attached a guard because of anti-Semitism). I still to this day didn't understand the callousness of their "security" practices.

[–]Jacketter 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I suspect the people working the more dismal wards are in as much need of mental help as their patients.

[–]Aryore 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I suspect a lot of the security is actually there to protect themselves from litigation.

[–]StragglingShadow 6 points7 points  (0 children)

EY WE COULDNT SEE OUTSIDE EITHER! You lose track of time frfr

[–]DoomBreakfast 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I love seeing your comics they always hit my emotional core

[–]omgwhatisthattt 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I do lipstick for blush too! I can't ever find a good shade of actual blush. Also, one of the things I'll always remember about being in a psych ward was how much I missed the outside once I got out after 3 weeks. The sun was so intense!

[–]RadTimeWizard 6 points7 points  (1 child)

The more I learn about psych wards, the more they seem to be designed to make psychological problems so much worse. Imagine being anxious and depressed, so they take away the fucking sky.

[–]enchiladasundae 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Rhubarb jam on a burger sounds kind of awesome actually

[–]AppleEnjoyer98 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You have such an amazing artstyle and fun concepts/interesting stories in your comics, keep it up!

(Especially with how many comics here are "hihi sex funny")

[–]Which_Yesterday 4 points5 points  (0 children)

HEY IT'S THAT AMAZING ART STYLE AND STORIES AGAIN! I hate how easy is to lose track of people's art in reddit... Glad to find you again on my feed! I absolutely adore everything you do! I'll try to follow your stuff somehow

[–]cyanraichu 3 points4 points  (0 children)

OP, your art style is so cute and fun. I really like your comics.

[–]countvonruckus 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I had a psychotic break a couple years ago. I tried a partial inpatient program and left after the first day. I know there are practical reasons it needs to be this way, but it's a cruel irony that the places you need to go for care for intense psychological problems are also some of the most intensely psychologically unpleasant places you can be. The care you get there is often completely untailored to the particularities of your condition, you exist in a place where you're treated like something between a prisoner and a child, and it lacks any of the things that provide comfort that we incorporate into making our everyday lives psychologically sustainable and happy. It's a terrifying place and I'm never going back.

There's a stigma for people with serious mental health conditions that we aren't doing coping correctly. If you're experiencing profound depression, for instance, you're supposed to call the suicide hotline, go through the expense and frustration of finding therapy, experiment for months with meds that may make you even more mentally unstable, and/or commit yourself to potential indefinite detention away from anything that makes your life bearable. If we conclude that any of those things won't be worth the cost or won't help, then you can feel the empathy of those around you dry up instantly. These systems are generally run by well meaning people and can provide necessary help, but they have serious drawbacks and aren't the obvious answer they're portrayed to be by those who haven't been there. For serious, long term psychological problems you need sustainable, effective solutions that can make life still worth living and for many of us those resources don't work for that. It doesn't mean we're lazy or choosing to suffer and I wish folks understood that better.

That 13 month psychotic break is behind me and I figured out the cause and solution on my own. I had to deal with the edge of suicide for a very long time but I found my way through to the other side. I'm living an amazing life abundantly full of love and joy now, but I'll always have that be my biggest fear and I know if it happens like that again I won't survive it. I'll still never step foot in a place like those institutions for myself ever again.

[–]Ok_Presentation_2346 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, if it works it works. (Regarding the lipstick.)

[–]GatePorters 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Reminds me of why I like onion rings.

Not in that kind of institution, but another one where hunger was exploited to dull the mind.

I was looking forward to lunch because it was fried Friday and I was salivating just thinking about potatoes boiled in grease and doused with salt.

But alas. When I got there, there were no fries and we aren’t allowed to stop.

My only option was onion rings. ONION RINGS! I hate onions!!!! But I also hate starving.

So I got them and ate them for the first time. And… it was transcendent.

I have gotten onion rings at almost every place I’ve been to after that seeking that high again.

The closest is Red Robin…. When their oil is clean and their rings aren’t stale. . .

I even learned how to make my own homemade ones trying to chase that high.

It’s never been the same, but that moment of duress was something that changed me deep down in a way that I’ve never been able to convey until I read this comic.

Thanks for sharing some of your life with us.

[–]JimmyBisMe 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is such a refreshing story. I hope your mental health recovery is going well!

[–]buttered_jesus 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Man there is nothing better than finding your pre-stage dinner spot

Absolutely wonderful by the slice place right across from my improv class that is just my speed

Hope you're doing well

[–]RibbitCommander 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate your slice of life content.

[–]cloacasmell 1 point2 points  (0 children)

rlly dig this

[–]ericnasty 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love ur style so much!!

[–]davy89irox 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The healing power of looking at a beautiful sky, of only cliché because it is so extant.

[–]Redditbobin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How did the set go?

[–]TannerNewcomb 1 point2 points  (0 children)

doing an open mic straight out the psych ward is an underrated experience

[–]SectionPlus5784 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yall got windows??? The only glass at my psych ward was inside

[–]verfemen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was thrilled to get an hour of off ward free time during my stay. I remember walking up down the large open staircase, and went out for some air before going back. It was really nice to walk more than just the halls of the ward.

The windows in our rooms were frosted, but only half way, so if I sat on the large window ledge I could see outside and watch the sunrise.

[–]GreatArcantos 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Something something appreciation of life... Proceeds to smoke

[–]lil-caroLil Caro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t appreciate it THAT much 🤪

[–]mogley1992 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've met a few people who avoid getting help with their mental health purely because they're terrified of being in a place like that.

I'm getting help with my mental health, but i know which questions i have to lie about. It sucks that that's the way things are, i wish places like this could feel like a respite from... everything.

[–]LuciferSamS1amCat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve got a family member in and out of the psych ward all the time, and I worry about her lots. For some reason this little comic makes me feel a little better, thanks!

[–]abadstrategy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's fascinating. The last few psych ward visits I had, we had unobscured windows that didn't open (granted, we were also on the 12th floor of the hospital), but every time I go for an MRI, i see those ceiling panels

[–]I_Love_Wegmans 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was in jail for a month, years and years ago. They had these rectangular, frosted "windows" at the very tippy top of the walls so you couldn't actually see out of them. Our rec time? Essentially a big garage with similar lighting. You could feel the cold but never see anything outside.

One time I had to go to the infirmary and they put me in a holding cell while I waited my turn. This holding cell had a window on a door similar to a classroom door window. Outside THAT window was a hall with an UNFROSTED WINDOW. If I stood on the slab, on my toes, I could see a sliver of blue sky and the TOP OF A TREE.

I stood like a crazy person for hours until I was called. I dont remember why I was in the infirmary, but I'll never forget seeing that slice of nature after so long without it. It was like drinking a cold glass of water when you didn't realize you were dehydrated. It was a feeling ill never forget.

[–]No_Jello_5922 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They used those cloudy sky inserts in the lights in the room with the LINAC when I was doing radiation therapy. Didn't do much for me. Since I was restrained with a mask, and my head was in the bore of the machine.

[–]FalseHeartbeat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hell yea… reminds me of the day I first had antidepressants take effect, it was during the last generational cicada brood, so I was just sat on the grass picking up cicadas and they were the most beautiful thing in the whole wide world

[–]Karahi00 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The sky themed ceiling panels in the psych ward and thinking "hunh, that's sorta windows xp of the ceilings" is pretty relatable.

[–]SenorChoncho 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can absolutely relate to feeling the sun for the first time. It was a very emotional experience for me.

[–]ExtremelyMedianVoter 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Cigarettes are bad for you, you should stop.

[–]lil-caroLil Caro[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes

[–]Same_School9196 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cool story

[–]Flamingo-Sini [score hidden]  (0 children)

I like your drawing style. It looks very cute.

[–]SnootSnootBasilisk [score hidden]  (0 children)

Yea, psych wards suck. It's like they're designed to just sap you of any desire to do anything.

The wars I was in had the heater cranked up so much my hands were constantly bleeding from my skin cracking open

[–]Aardonyx87 [score hidden]  (0 children)

I feel like keeping people locked up away from fresh air like that is really bad for their mental health...

[–]Embarrassed-Day-1373 [score hidden]  (0 children)

the sky is really something we don't realize we need until it's gone. I'm southern, so trees and sky are constantly in my view.

I visited New York for not even a week, spent one of my days in Central Park, and I still felt sick to my stomach at not being able to see the sky much.

coming home was more about seeing the sky again than my house

[–]Square-Dragonfruit76 1 point2 points  (6 children)

How long were you in the psych ward for? In most places, you cannot be held involuntarily for more than a few days unless there is a judicial order against you. And the psych hospitals I have seen where people voluntarily go in, they usually aren't this strict and patients go outside.

[–]lil-caroLil Caro[S] 8 points9 points  (2 children)

I don’t fully remember but it was certainly a lot longer than a few days! I was deemed a danger to myself and in active psychosis so they had to keep me and it depends on where you go but I’ve been to wards where we could go outside under supervision and some where you couldn’t under any circumstances. There might be differences state to state!

[–]Square-Dragonfruit76 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In most states, 3 days is the maximum involuntary stay without a judge's order. Also, if you have family or anyone, they could potentially sign for your care to take you out of the facility. If you are concerned about this happening again, I would look up your local laws about this. Additionally, if you have a mental health provider that you trust and like, talk to them about what would happen if you got into a situation like this again and if there is any better alternatives.

[–]internet-weirod 0 points1 point  (0 children)

seriously what's the point of making psych wards as extremely depressing as physically possible?

[–]terror_fear_sorrow 0 points1 point  (0 children)

sunshine sweetie cheeks!!!!!!

[–]Creepy-Intentions-69 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just stumbled in here. I adore this comic. I can feel it in my bones.

[–]Jacob_Laye 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know those exact sky prints because one of the classrooms at a middle school I visited had them. I had to be in that room for a while, and by the time I was able to get out I hated it. Made the room seem so much dimmer and bleaker than it should have been. But I’m glad you were able to make something positive from the experience!

[–]BHunter1140 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I remember my time being institutionalized, we didn’t get to go outside either. When I finally went outside when I got out, the sun burned my eyes so bad and my mom got me my first coffee I had in weeks. Best cup of coffee I’ve ever had

[–]PM_ME_YOUR_NAUGHTIEZ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't fix her... But I'll tag along for the ride!

[–]vorpalrobot 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Leaving the psych ward and going to an open mic night is such bipolar energy lmao.

[–]nimrod_s3ns31 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a really touching story, hope you’re doing ok. Never tried rhubarb jam before, now I need t’try

[–]EnsoElysium 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I use eyeshadow for blush~ the day I got out of the ward it was raining, now I love the rain. It feels like freedom

[–]Tough-Weakness-3957 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my goodness I love this!!! I was in many institutions including psych wards growing up as a ward of the court from age 12, and to this day I get a bit panicked when I'm in a room without windows. I'm 55. I keep the door open in the doctor's exam rooms. I still remember how delightful it was to go outside and feel the air brush my skin, and how it took a bit to adjust to the sun. This is just adorable, thank you so much for sharing it 🌬

[–]Gaskychan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Was hospitalised and had emergency surgery. When I was well enough to walk outside and breath real outside air. Was special. Can’t imagine not being able to see the outside world as well.

[–]meeandharley 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great everything - I really enjoyed and connected with this.

[–]TheCthonicSystem 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Psych Wards sound awful 😞 "here's this cage this will totally help! We know what we're doing!"

[–]Secret_Performer_771 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love the clouds. Sometimes I just stare at them. Why would they put that on the glass so you can't see out?

[–]Sgitch 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope you are doing better now!

[–]ffiml8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

👍

[–]AdmirableProposal 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I use blush for eyeshadow. Sometimes things just work better for other purposes. 

[–]Urag-gro_Shub 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I hope you're doing better these days

[–]Immediate-Wait8042 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just wanna say I love your art style its so adorable!!! Also I can relate to being in the psych ward!

[–]LegendarySurgeon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yay for another person using lipstick (or: I use a lip stain mainly) for blush!

[–]dmdewd 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love your work! Thanks for sharing this with us

[–]evilginger711[🍰] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is so relatable I also use lipstick for blush and think sunburns are cute (I am going to age like a banana)

[–]NateK9053 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh my god. I just found you and I love your stories and style! Thank you! You're a gift!

[–]stepasidepops 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really love the way you tell stories

[–]Fair-Bus9686 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One time when I was teen I was in the mental hospital for over 3 months. I wasn't able to go outside or experience fresh air. I go outside every day now, even if it's just for a little bit.

[–]MarkMew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was cool OP!

[–]peculiar_pandabear 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love this 💖 The ward I had been to twice had a small, maybe gas station sized courtyard that they let us visit twice a day, 15 min each time. I actually… did not enjoy this… seeing the massive towering building around me just made me feel sick.

Edit:

The leaving was always my favorite part, followed by the first shower in my own house again.

[–]FormalBlueberry7723 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Only on suicide watch from my experience

[–]musix345 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooh lipstick for blush is interesting!

[–]NarwhalEmergency9391 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love art therapy

[–]ArtismFag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Going out for the first time afyer being admited is so nice. Everything is so damn pretty for the first time in a long time

[–]broforange 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i fuckin love your comics, they’re so much fun! and your art is so cute and unique!! please keep doin whatcha doin, friend. this person right here greatly enjoys it :)

[–]Potential_Crisis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great comic, and Im glad you shared it with us. Its nice, and thoughtful, and the art style is so cute :)

[–]SuperArppis 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha, I love how cute this comic is.

[–]S_Belmont 0 points1 point  (0 children)

that was really enjoyable. Frutiger Aero and rhubarb jam!

[–]where_is_jules 0 points1 point  (0 children)

using lipstick for blush is better than other standard blush products IMHO. I’ve been using lipstick as blush since I began doing my makeup! I always felt insecure wearing it on my lips, I fear I look like a clown lmaooo Plus the colors are much more vibrant that way, imo 😌 Ps, I love your style so freaking much it’s so comforting

[–]Kagamime1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

'oh yeah, you're not allowed to look outside, you just get these oddly distopic drawings of the sky' does the psych ward WANT me to kill myself?????

[–]Fucky0uthatswhy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is what hail is like in my county. There is no rec. there are no windows. You don’t outside, you can’t see outside, and the frosted windows have no gradient because there towered over by other buildings. Just a faint light coming through. I got sunburned on the drive home inside the car with the windows up. American jails/prisons/mental institutions are third world

[–]hatlessAtlas 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is hard for me to read and my heart aches for everyone who has to deal with this. I truly hope you and anyone with similar experiences are doing better.

[–]mountainfunk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I literally have done the same thing with blush since I got a sunburn years ago! That's so funny. Thanks for sharing, love your story. Sorry you weren't able to see the sun for that long. Hope you always see the sky from now on.

[–]kotoneshiomi 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I was in a psych ward recently. It wasn't for that long but I hated it. There wasn't even individual rooms, only one big room with everyone sleeping in armchairs. Was so glad when I got out and went to get a coffee from a mom and pop place because honestly? I needed it. Been having a rough few months that had led to it so I think it was inevitable. Luckily tomorrow, I finally have an appointment to get set up for a therapist and psychologist! I'm feeling a lot better nowadays and I'm thankful for that. Hope you are feeling better too op. 😊