Dear editor,
Before the new hospital opened I wrote several letters suggesting to keep the psych ward at St Joe’s. I especially felt very strongly that that is a beautiful place for it, with views of the water, grass just outside… you can actually feel like you are still part of the world/community.
There is hope, and being able to get outside for a bit and breathe real fresh air is so healing. I know because I’ve been there and know it was (and can be again) the most helpful healing space.
I toured the new hospital before it opened and my first question was “where is the psych ward?”
Fourth floor. I felt disgust for the planning: so far from anybody, any visitor to that “scary place” has to go up and up through door after door and many don’t want to visit anyway, just because it’s the psych ward. No matter how efficient it looks it is a box with walls up/down and all around.
I hope and pray I never have to spend time there. I have spent time healing in other fourth floor units, so I speak with experience and actual knowledge.
The decisions were already made, but as published and experienced, there are already problems. Maybe a pysch move could be part of the solution.
I hope and pray so.
Barbara Lynn Ble
Courtenay