Sunday, September 13, 2015

The Rational Retreat




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
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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
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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,
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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
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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 


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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
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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

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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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