Hollywood movies often portray Psych Wards in horror movies. It is usually filled with dangerous people there. Always, it is shown as a chaotic place with psychotic people everywhere.
They do this ward a grave injustice and feed the stereotypes that are built around people with Mental Illness. I have never been in an adult Psychiatric Ward, but I have visited a couple of Children’s Psych Wards.
There is usually at least one child who is having a meltdown, a psychotic break, or otherwise agitated. But when you walk the halls, most of the children found there, are like any other children you would find anywhere else.
These are children who have tried to commit suicide. Children who are not being safe with others or themselves, but not usually every waking moment. Some are children who are having their medications changed and for whatever reason need to be hospitalized while this is going on to monitor what happens.
You will find them going to school, participating in group activities, playing sports, as well as participating in therapy. I think that most people would be very surprised at what they would find in a children’s psych ward, and while I haven’t been to an adult ward, what I know, would lead me to assume that in many cases it is much the same.
Hollywood needs to take responsibility for some of the stigma that is placed on those with mental illness because they have contributed to the spreading of it. Sometimes these wards are noisy. Sometimes they can be dangerous. But not all the time, not all the people. Your local ER can be just as noisy and just as dangerous at times.
I definitely agree, the portrayal is very unfair and leads people to hesitate before getting help for themselves or a loved one. #GlobalBlogging
I hadn’t even thought about bringing that angle into the piece but if that is how you think Psych wards are you wouldn’t want to check into one.
From watching documentaries about psych wards, they do appear a lot calmer than the movies portray. I guess it helps with the horror to portray them that way, but it doesn’t help the everyday Joe!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.
Thanks for stopping in and reading. I appreciate it.
I’ve never really thought about it until I read this. And I totally agree with you! Some things could definitely be handled with more sensitivity and accuracy. #TwinklyTuesday
Thank you. This is precisely why I wrote this post, so that people would think about it.
This is such a well made point ! It’d never really occurred to me before but yes Hollywood does need to take some responsibility #blogcrush
Thank you.
I have experienced mental illness. I have never thought about the Hollywood side of things but I think you make a very valid point #TwinklyTuesday
Thank you.
You know, you have a very good point here. Hollywood, television, books… they all owe mental illness a huge apology and we need to destigmatize it if we are ever going to move forward in a positive way. <3 #mondaymusings
Thanks. Maybe one day they will get the message.
thank you for helping remove the stereotype and stigma!
Thank you for reading!
I bet you could walk into any ward of any hospital and find at least one child having a meltdown, any supermarket or school for that fact too! Having visited a few hospitals, including an adult Psychiatric Ward I can safely say that ward was the calmest I have been too and the most distressing would actually be a toss up between intensive care or a ward designated to the elderly, that was noisy and messy and chaotic. I agree that movies have a lot to answer for. #TwinklyTuesday
That is a very good point!
Thank you for this perspective. It is not really something that I have thought a whole lot about, but I can see where this would totally be the case. There is very little that Hollywood actually gets right in their movies.
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell
Blessings,
Amy
Thanks for reading. I appreciate it.
Oh yes! In India too movies play a big role in stereotyping. Not sure why directors and producers don’t take this more seriously.
Media is such a huge voice. Changing the way it is portrayed there would make a huge difference.
I have never been to a psychic ward, neither of adults nor of children. But yes, have definitely seen the scenes from the movies that create a dark picture about the same. It definitely is not in good taste by any film maker to exaggerate the reality to draw a point or to set the tone for the scene or movie.
Those facing mental challenges are the beleaguered souls. If we cant help them actively, we should definitely stay from portraying negative images about them.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for stopping by and reading. It’s a subject that is close to my heart that I hope to bring more awareness to.
What an interesting perspective. I am sometimes a bit oblivious to the effects of the media, but you are quite right Mental illness does get a terrible portrayal in movies and I am sure that this does not help with the stigma #globalblogging
Thank you for reading. That was part of the reason for writing this blog post, to raise awareness for this issue.
100% agree media needs to take responsibility Thank you for linking to #Thatfridaylinky please come back next week
Thanks for stopping in and reading.
Very true, the whole of the media needs to take some responsibility for the negative stereotyping of certain groups of people. #ThatFridayLinky
The media is really powerful and I think could make a huge difference in this area. Thanks for stopping by and reading.
I agree. Nothing is more fearful than that of the unknown. What we see in movies is nothing more than one person’s perspective.
It really does a disservice to this population of people too.