Bethlem Museum of Mind, Psycho Killer, and speaking of seeking professional help
Bethlem Museum of Mind is located in Bethlem Royal Hospital, which is believed to be the world's first psychiatric hospital. The hospital is still running, while the museum shows the change in the treatment of patients over 800 years, including the therapy through art creation since the 19th century.
Once you enter the museum, there is a sculpture called Raving and Melancholy which used to be put at the gatepost, showing how people in the past perceived those who suffered from mental illness. The permanent exhibition showcases a room trapping the serious patients to prevent them from self harm, and they had an interactive electronic device to allow visitors to take part in discussing whether some controls should be applied to patients, especially when they intend to commit suicide.
The hospital was not in current location until 1930s, and it once tried to open up to the public in order to enhance their understanding and sympathy to the patients who suffered from mental disorder.
The general perception have become more sympathetic over the years, but mental health remains a taboo topic somehow, as many people are still reluctant to seek help from mental health professionals, and if they do, most of them don’t disclose to others because they don't know what others will think, like whether they will be boycotted or they will make others worry. That’s why the professionals have to keep the cases of their cilents confidential. So we can see how both seeking help and disclosure are courageous moves although we understand more about mental health.
We need to acknowledge life is not easy so it's normal that everyone can have their own issues. I really love how Saiorse Ronan illustrates this in the recently released music video Psycho Killer.
Maybe you said we have so much information available on the internet, and self help is feasible. But be careful those contents from social media and YouTube is not tailored for you because the creators don’t know you much. Not to mention those information may be wrong somehow.
This is where mental health professional services lie. In the UK there are wide range of resources from 24-hour crisis support services, to Talking Therapies including those who only have signs of low moods. Before the appropriate support plan is implemented, every cilent is assessed through scientific questionnaire to evaluate if he/she has current risk, like, to or from others, self harm or drug and alcohol use. Besides, a conversation between a therapist and a cilent can help understanding the problem, context and background of the latter. In some councils, there are various peer support programs including sports and meditation activities. Self referral is possible for the service so that people don’t need to see their GP first.
In the book Gaslighting, the author said, “Asking for help is a strength, and not everyone is able to know they need help.” It is not only applicable to being gaslighted, but also to all kinds of situations. So the urge to seek help is not a sign of weakness, but the opposite.
Bethlem Museum of Mind
Address: Bethlem Royal Hosp, Monks Orchard Rd, Beckenham BR3 3BX
Transport: bus 119, 198 from East/West Croydon and Bromley North stations
