Stigma on Mental Illness
The view on mental disorders in America has never had a positive outlook. “[S]ociety probably spends more time trying to ignore mental illness than to understand it" (Klevorick, Par. 1). Rehabilitation should not be about eliminating or breaking a disease, it should consist of accepting the disease and learning how to live with it. Most clinics for mental disorders are closed away and kept away from the public. This leads to more people ignoring or suppressing their disease because of the negative and unhealthy views of society. Patients are already trapped mentally, they should not be trapped physically in addition.
The view on mental disorders in America has never had a positive outlook. “[S]ociety probably spends more time trying to ignore mental illness than to understand it" (Klevorick, Par. 1). Rehabilitation should not be about eliminating or breaking a disease, it should consist of accepting the disease and learning how to live with it. Most clinics for mental disorders are closed away and kept away from the public. This leads to more people ignoring or suppressing their disease because of the negative and unhealthy views of society. Patients are already trapped mentally, they should not be trapped physically in addition.
Project Proposal
This project will be a free rehabilitation center that is also open to the public in a community within New Mexico. Anyone who is suffering from a mental disorder is allowed to enter and exit as they please. There will be opportunities for a stricter program for those who need a more refined care. Most of the center will be an open space, other than the bedrooms, private therapy rooms, and group rooms. Opening the space will allow interactions with the general public, giving society an opportunity to rethink their image on mental disorders. Public spaces will consist of areas that allow recreational of any activity whether it be within the arts, sports, or even jobs.
In order to bring interest to the general public, free classes for art sessions and sports activities will be held. Those who cannot afford to pay for an extracurricular activity can enjoy their leisure time at the recreation center. This not only allows the public to enjoy free classes, but it also gives the patients an opportunity to share their talent.
This project will be a free rehabilitation center that is also open to the public in a community within New Mexico. Anyone who is suffering from a mental disorder is allowed to enter and exit as they please. There will be opportunities for a stricter program for those who need a more refined care. Most of the center will be an open space, other than the bedrooms, private therapy rooms, and group rooms. Opening the space will allow interactions with the general public, giving society an opportunity to rethink their image on mental disorders. Public spaces will consist of areas that allow recreational of any activity whether it be within the arts, sports, or even jobs.
In order to bring interest to the general public, free classes for art sessions and sports activities will be held. Those who cannot afford to pay for an extracurricular activity can enjoy their leisure time at the recreation center. This not only allows the public to enjoy free classes, but it also gives the patients an opportunity to share their talent.
Intent of Thesis
The center will be located in Taos, New Mexico in which is a location of beautiful scenery and natural remedies. People within New Mexico are very laid back; however there is still a barrier from the Native Americans and the current Americans. From personal experience this tension is present but has been hidden to nonexistence. It is a topic most do not like talking about. This leads to the mind of “no longer caring.” This mindset leaves the Natives to find their mental illnesses nonexistence also, leading to the wrong recreational addictions. Locating this center in New Mexico will create more interest and give the locals more opportunity to interact while learning new activities. The space will consist of three different spaces that are interconnected with scenic views of nature. The project itself will start out on a smaller scale and grow accordingly.
The users of the space will start out with the patients, therapists, doctors, volunteers, and general public. This facility will focus on those who struggle in their early teens to late 20s. In order to have a better understanding of a wider audience of potential patients, this project will go hand in hand with the National Alliance in Mental Illness. Throughout the experience patients who have recovered and are more confident in control of their mental illness will act as mentors to those still struggling, normal jobs to such patients will be offered within the center as well. Offering such jobs, allow those in their 20s a helping hand into the working society as well. The center will be open to the public, allowing to build an interaction bond for the patients and public. Not only allowing the public into realization, but it will give the patients an opportunity to interact with society and gain their confidence back. This rehabilitation center will mostly focus on helping those cope with addictions and depression in a healthy, active community. All senses will be awaken and put to use through color, light, and certain activities.
The center will be located in Taos, New Mexico in which is a location of beautiful scenery and natural remedies. People within New Mexico are very laid back; however there is still a barrier from the Native Americans and the current Americans. From personal experience this tension is present but has been hidden to nonexistence. It is a topic most do not like talking about. This leads to the mind of “no longer caring.” This mindset leaves the Natives to find their mental illnesses nonexistence also, leading to the wrong recreational addictions. Locating this center in New Mexico will create more interest and give the locals more opportunity to interact while learning new activities. The space will consist of three different spaces that are interconnected with scenic views of nature. The project itself will start out on a smaller scale and grow accordingly.
The users of the space will start out with the patients, therapists, doctors, volunteers, and general public. This facility will focus on those who struggle in their early teens to late 20s. In order to have a better understanding of a wider audience of potential patients, this project will go hand in hand with the National Alliance in Mental Illness. Throughout the experience patients who have recovered and are more confident in control of their mental illness will act as mentors to those still struggling, normal jobs to such patients will be offered within the center as well. Offering such jobs, allow those in their 20s a helping hand into the working society as well. The center will be open to the public, allowing to build an interaction bond for the patients and public. Not only allowing the public into realization, but it will give the patients an opportunity to interact with society and gain their confidence back. This rehabilitation center will mostly focus on helping those cope with addictions and depression in a healthy, active community. All senses will be awaken and put to use through color, light, and certain activities.