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Great conversation on the air and online, I've really enjoyed listening to everyone's reponses. 

As a student nurse I did my clincial rotation for my Mental health class at the Oregon state hospital last fall.  I was on an all male, forensic (370) unit.  Intimidating to say the least to walk in and see textbook examples of people who are currently symptomatic with mental illness.  I had an invaluable experience and learned an incredible amount from the patients and the staff.  

A few things that I will share:  I was awestruck by the care the patients are receiving.  They are treated like patients NOT prisoners.  Each patient has a multidisciplinary team assigned to them to help them thrive and heal.  I am talking Psychiatrists, social workers, mental health techs (cna/cma like role), Nurses, case managers, music therapists, pet therapists, just to name a few.  They all want them to get better and get back to their familes and communities.  I spoke with some patients that said the OSH was like Disneyland for a person with mental illness while prison (where they had come from as 370 patients) was the worst hell imaginable. 

Shout out to all the *amazing* nurses at the OSH.  They are doing great work and I thought many a time, what if my family member with mental illness had been placed there?  Maybe he would still be alive?  However, there is work to be done and they know that.  Hopefully at the new campus they will continue to improve and really help the patients THRIVE! 

posted 2 years, 2 months ago
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