Have
you ever had a family member or friend suffer from a mental illness and have
nowhere to turn to for help? When you think of name like Danville State, you
might think of one individual unit devoted to a
simplistic style or boring
build. However that image couldn’t be the farthest from the
truth. Danville State Hospital offers an advantaged (advanced) wide range of
essential services and treatments to anyone suffering from a mental disorder.
The hospital treats all varies of illnesses such as depression and alcoholism
to severe schizophrenia. “The hospital acts as a self-sustained miniature
city,” says Phil Rowe, Registered Nurse at Danville State Hospital. “The
hospital has its own specialty doctors such as pediatricians and
dermatologists, including its own lab work facilities and recreational areas.”
From resolving therapeutic sessions to the most advanced pharmaceuticals,
psychiatrists and staff tenderheartedly nurture every patient as an individual
and attend to their needs. With its pearly white castle walls, Danville State
Hospital challenges the rehabilitation of any person admitted to the hospital
to return to society as a brand new individual. Welcoming with wide open arms,
Danville State has been operating since the year 1872 and continues to
recondition mental health victims with passionate care and compassion.
The ancient, matured-looking trees still hulk over the
scenic meadow of Danville State like fossils through time; they’ve stood there
massively since the building was first constructed. The building has a layout
known as the Kirkbride Plan which is an old style castle-like design proposed
by Philadelphia psychiatrist Thomas Kirkbride in 1809. As one walks
toward the immense looking citadel of Danville State, it's impossible not to
notice the tan rock formation fountain erupting clear water from its top. An
enormous white pool containing the fountain surrounds the front of the main
entrance. Two healthy green trees are seen from the distance on each side of
the fountain, with a frosted ivory pathway leading towards the front entrance
to the elongated brown door. Further outside following the snowy sidewalk are
gilded looking recreation centers for the privileged patients to use under
staff supervision. These consist of a professional, prestigious outdoor basketball
court near as smooth as a freshly cleaned NBA court, following an endless grassy
lane for calm walks throughout the day. “Patients that are given special
privileges for outstanding behavior can participate in the hospitals car wash
and earn pay for each vehicle washed,” says Phil. “It’s really rewarding to see
patients being active and engaging in social and community behaviors.” Following
the smooth concrete sidewalk to the doors of Danville State Hospital, a silver
metal plaque reads “(D.H.S.) Welcome all to the rational retreat.”
Walking past the tall wooden brown entrance of
Danville State spans dark mosaic patterned masonry leading past two
hospital doors to a circular front desk. The main hallway consists of
historical pictures and landmarks with old fashioned seating areas along the white
painted walls,
with a brown keystone plaque above reading “Danville State
Hospital”. Upon the white hospital doors past the main hallways, a courteous blonde secretary asks eagerly, "How can I help you today, do you need a pass?". Even visitors are aloud to use the services of Danville State, including the recreation center. The enormous
self-sustaining hospital
contains centers and occupations such as a hair dressing unit, lab work
center, dentistry, pharmacy, post office, fitness recreation, a church, and a
food service area where entitled patients can cook food for the whole building.
An aroma of lemon sanitation unleash through the halls, bringing about a
comforted feeling of cleanliness and composure. The sturdy concrete binding walls of the
hospital are painted light yellow to bring about calmness and good behavior for
staff and patient interaction. Since it is in fact a mental hospital, a massive
amount of psychology is used within the fortress of the hospital in advantage
to the staff for a patient’s mental decision. The individual rooms of the
patient's are painted a pale green to decrease environmental stimulation, which
is especially useful if a patient is acting out in uncontrollable behavior. Patient
rooms are six feet by eight feet wide, including one bed, dresser, and a
wardrobe, which are prestinely cleaned daily by an engaged hallway housekeeper.
As the sunlight
shines brightly into the foot by foot square window of a patient’s small room, each
one is greeted by an enthusiastic light-green clothed hospital aide at 7 AM
sharp. When the patient arises out of the vanilla white sheets, personal
hygiene is next on the list. Patients that need assistance will be aided with hygiene
and escorted to a hot and ready breakfast at 7:30 AM. “The nutritious food here
is based off of the American Diet Association, the dairy and produce comes from
local farmers to ensure the freshest available foods”, says Cafeteria
Supervisor Dave
Turnbough. The classy spacious dining area consisting of 40
tables can house all 148 patients at the same time. Other patients are allowed
to sit with each other in the cafeteria before the daily 8:15 AM community
group, where a therapist will begin the talk session of the day. “Each patient
is addressed specifically through socialization for the purpose of promoting
reality based on stimulating conversation,” says Phil. “I sit along with them to
search for personal injuries and to observe patient interaction.” At 9:30 AM,
privileged patients are allowed to enjoy outdoor
recreation in the beautiful
grasslands behind Danville State Hospital or play basketball outside in the court.
Others are escorted back to their rooms or have appointments with other
psychiatrists. After a solid two hours of optional outdoor free time, all
patients are gathered again in the dining hall for lunch. “Staff members watch
over the patients like hawks on their prey, watching for trouble makers to
start problems at random over things such as one getting more ketchup served
than another, or voices being heard to erupt a fight”, says RN Phil. “Anything
could happen during heavy patient interaction, so all staff including chefs
need to be aware of random outbreaks, and expect them as common.” After lunch,
patients attend another social group, this time to restate hospital rules and
establish the rights of the patients. After rules and regulations are instated,
patients showing improving behaviors are rewarded accordingly with temporary privileges
or a ticket for an afternoon snack. This is there time to listen and ask
questions to staff and report any problems or concerns they might have. After
the meeting, visitation hours are granted to patients to see their family and
friends outside Danville State Hospital. At 2:30, it’s time for patients to
enjoy educational therapy. Choices of a church sermon, library time, or
creative arts are offered to the patients before their 6:30 PM dinner at the
dining area. Around 7:30, a line begins at the community nurses facility to
weigh in patients and check for irregular signs of health. Assiduous nurses
document each individual patient with diligent care, comparing old charts to
new statistics of the day during their visit. If we notice any minor irregular
signs within a patient, it becomes documented. “If any signs are moderate, the
patient is immediately seen by a doctor on call before they leave the facility”,
says Nurse Phil. While all the check-ups are occurring, rooms of patients are being
cleaned by housekeepers to get patients ready for bed. “By the time check-ups
are finished the time is usually around 9 O’clock, most patients are tired from
their long day at the hospital and are sent to bed at 9:30”, says a staff
member. “We take sleepy patients in rows of 5 to the bathrooms before compassionately
putting
patients to bed. We often say positive things and thank them for their
time, making them feel loved and appreciated before a good night’s sleep.”
RN Phil Rowe remembers the most significant recovery story he has ever witnessed while employed at Danville State Hospital. "A man once was admitted with a schizophrenic illness who would hear voices and harm himself, with a strange habit of sitting on the floor and maneuvering backwards with his hands. The
middle aged patient was a lanky aging man who first appeared undeniably unkempt
with greasy hair, frustrating vibes and a confusing deranged look in his eyes. The
patient was given therapeutic rehabilitation through psychologists and given
specific medications for his disorders by the designated psychiatrist. Weeks
and weeks exceeded and no noticeable improvement was documented with the
patient. On one merciful Spring morning, the patient had woken up out of his
bed, and had stood up. When the Control Center unlocked his room, he proceeded
to open the pale-yellow door pushing the silver metal bar aside. His first few
steps down the hallway went unnoticed, until staff starred in shock as the man
patiently, yet bravely, began his somewhat staggering few steps toward the
staff waiting in the shower room. Through trial and error with medications, as
well as time and patience for it to settle in his bodily system, he was able to
be rehabilitated to a normal societal level. He was released into a group home where he returns to the hospital only as a representative for the other patients at Danville State and aided them
as a mentor." "This story warms my heart every time I get to tell it, the man and I still keep in touch when he visits. He greets me with a smirk on his face every time, thanking the staff and I for bringing him to his feet."
Over 20 decades of outstanding dedication, Danville State Hospital has successfully rehabilitated tens of thousands of admitted patients and continues to do so today. The hospital prides itself on patient care and nurturing each one as a loved one away from home. All the staff take on their jobs governing and protecting patients from themselves and others, yet still providing outstanding compassion and understanding that we abide by here. "Staff at Danville State Hospital recognize that these are victims of
mental illness, not animals or ignorant people. There's no room for staff like that, and will be removed accordingly", says Phil as he stands looking out the colored glass paneling of the fourth floor. The building here might serve as a self sustained mini city, but inside we're all one close knit happy family
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