WARNING – Talks of my experiences while in psych wards when I was seriously depressed.
Psych Ward
Bars across the windows, locks upon the doors.
I fear I’m in a madhouse, trapped in the psych ward.
“This is for your safety,” they tell me while in restraints.
My thoughts continually screaming. My knees weak and I feel faint.
Words such as “delusions” and “psychosis,” “bipolar” and “schizophrenia” too,
“Borderline” and “suicidal,” offer glimpses of the inner me and you.
People must think I am crazy as I am here time and time again.
I’ve lost many who once stood beside me. Many once deemed friends.
But they don’t understand mental illness. They’ve never fought this fight.
They are ordinary people with ordinary lives.
I’ll never be quite “normal”, but the doctors certainly try,
To treat us with medications until the day we die.
Acceptance is what is wanted as we wage upon this war.
Realization it’s a lifelong battle we’ll fight again once more.
So don’t give up on us because we struggle, you don’t have to understand.
Just love us, talk with us and be there. Beside us take a stand.
Mental illness may never end but the stigma needs to cease.
We are human too. Would you accept us? Would you please?
©2024 Stephanie Blomquist
