Work in a mental hospital

It weird that somone would get inspired by movies and books to work in a mental hospital. I don’t think they present the most accurate view of what it’s like to work there. But I want the help, so I guess that’s the most important thing.

I worked for three years or so on an inpatient service, and then for eleven more in an outpatient clinic. As with any job, it had its share of crap to put up with – paperwork, clueless administrators, etc – and of course, some days were better than others. On the two or three worst days, people died despite my efforts. But on good days, I left work knowing that people were better off for the interaction they had with me, and on the best days, I knew that I had changed someone’s life. Occasionally, after I’d discharge someone following a completed course of therapy, he or she would write me a thank you note. I have kept every one of them.