View allAll Photos Tagged mentalillness
One symptom of my illness was self-harm. Cutting is often a methodical, ritualised act and is a way of keeping control of emotions or situations, or to create pain where numbness only seems to exist. It reminds cutters that we can still feel.
Part of a series called 'Out of My Mind', documenting my personal journey through mental illness, inspired by the works of Jo Spence and Cindy Sherman.
Photographed on 35mm Black and White film and processed and printed by me on 10x8 gloss paper.
The final photo in the series "The Mind's Journey." This series was about mental health illnesses and the journey that one may experience in dealing with their mental health issue. This is very personal to me and I wanted to show people what it was like to experience these emotions and feelings. This is the story of the spiraling descent of giving into the mental illness, and for me this is my depression.
Suicide Hotline:
US: 1-800-273-8255
UK: +44 (0) 8457 90 90 90 (UK - local rate)
UK: +44 (0) 8457 90 91 92 (UK minicom)
France: 01 45 39 40 00
Germany: 0800 1110 111
Germany: 0800 1110 222
Australia: 13 11 14
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
November 2nd, 2014
Weston, MA
One of the many "period decorated" rooms that has been restored with this historic structure.
Some info on the location and it's dark history:
"The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, constructed between 1858 and 1881, is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in North America, and is purportedly the second largest in the world, next to the Kremlin. It was designed by the renowned architect Richard Andrews following the Kirkbride plan, which called for long rambling wings arranged in a staggered formation, assuring that each of the connecting structures received an abundance of therapeutic sunlight and fresh air. The original hospital, designed to house 250 souls, was open to patients in 1864 and reached its peak in the 1950's with 2,400 patients in overcrowded and generally poor conditions. Changes in the treatment of mental illness and the physical deterioration of the facility forced its closure in 1994 inflicting a devastating effect on the local economy, from which it has yet to recover."
SOURCE: trans-alleghenylunaticasylum.com/main/history.html —
"Asylum Hall"
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
November 2nd, 2014
Weston, WV
"Across from the West Fork River on 269 acres in Weston, West Virginia stands The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The two main hospital buildings stretch for an intimidating two-tenths of a mile and was to hold 250 patients. The hospital is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in America. The hospital also stands out because of the many stories about Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts.
Virginia had only two state hospitals in the mid 1800’s, Williamsburg and Staunton, and both were very overcrowded, so the Virginia Legislature voted to build another new state hospital and after a long search decided on Weston as the home. Construction began in 1858 but grounded to a halt in 1861 with the outbreak of the American Civil War.
When Virginia succeeded from the Union the state government demanded the money back that wasn’t already used for construction on the hospital so it could be used in their defense fund. The 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry had other plans and confiscated the money and delivered it to Wheeling. They used the money to fund the Reorganized Government of Virginia which sided with the Union. Appropriating more funds, the new government began construction again in 1862.
West Virginia became a state in 1863 and renamed Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum to West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. Construction continued until 1881 but admission of patients started in 1864. 1871 saw completion of the signature 200 foot clock tower.
The hospital’s goal was to become self-sufficient. It expanded to eventually include 666 acres and had on the grounds a dairy, a farm, a cemetery and waterworks. In 1902 they drilled a gas well and another name change to Weston State Hospital came in 1913.
The Charleston Gazette did a series of reports in 1949 reporting poor sanitation, lighting and heating in areas of the hospital. From the mid 1970’s to the closing of the hospital were the most violent. Patients killing patients, both male and female staff got attacked and some killed and the most violent patients kept in cages. In 1994 Weston State Hospital closed for good.
There are several thousand documented deaths connected to the hospital and three cemeteries located behind the hospital. The three cemeteries cover different times in the history of the hospital, the first cemetery covers 1858-1900, the second covers 1901-1933 and the last one 1933-1970’s. Due to missing markers however, it is nearly impossible to match names to those buried there.
With so many deaths throughout the history of the hospital, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of stories of Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts. Staff reports sounds of gurney’s being pushed down the hallways, screams coming from the electro-shock area and even doctor apparition’s roaming the hallways and rooms.
One of the most popular Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts is the story of Lily. Lily was born in the hospital in 1863, her mom; Gladys Ravensfield was a patient there. The story surrounding Gladys is that she was continuously raped and beaten by a group of Civil War soldiers and the resulting emotional after effects landed her in the asylum. Not long after her admission, they found out she was pregnant. Gladys gave birth to Lily nut sadly within a few hours Lily passed away.
Lily hangs around her mom’s room in the Civil War section and the hallways around there. She likes to play ball and will hold your hand when you walk by. Though she died as a new-born, most report the little girl as being around three years old. Apparently she also has acquired a sweet tooth and reports are that if you leave candy around, or even in your pocket, it will go missing. A child laughing and giggling are also often reported around Lily’s room.
The Civil War section seems the most active area in the haunted hospital. It is known for a Civil War soldier’s apparition, who’s been named Jacob, wandering aimlessly around the floor, loud banging and strange noises are heard, whispering and what seems like constant conversation being heard even though no one is on the floor."
SOURCE: www.themosthauntedplaces.com/trans-allegheny-lunatic-asyl...
All rights reserved Gilbert Mercier. For eventual publication contact me here.
Drunk Homeless man/ Los Angeles 1986 photo by Gilbert Mercier. Photograph published in Here You Are on 9/25/2017 to illustrate a short story by Michael Lorenzo Porter "Waking Up Dead: How to Survive the Weekday Hangover"
We are hunkered down watching the tube very carefully as Hurricane Douglas approaches O‘ahu. Stay well, stay safe, everyone.
Le Bambole Mk. V, The Colorpack Pinhole Camera. Fujifilm FP-3000B film (very expired and cooked). Solarization and Sabattier effect in printing process.
What's Lost Spirits is a sim-wide art installation in the virtual world, Second Life. The installation is by Stabitha (aka. what88.zond), and contains a smorgasbord of dark imagery. The SLurl is maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whats%20Lost%20Spirits/36/...
A couple months ago I was approached by Brickbacker to design a model for an upcoming campaign of theirs. When I learned what their client did, I was in. From the website:
The purpose of the nation-wide campaign EN AF OS (ONE OF US) is to de-stigmatise mental illness in Denmark; So, no more discrimination and elimination of people who suffer from or have suffered from mental illness. In the campaign, we express it like this: No more silence, doubt and taboo about mental illness.
No matter what, everybody is and should feel like they’re one of us.
Specifically, the campaign works to increase the Danes’ knowledge about mental illness, lessen the distance, which leads to stigmatisation, prejudices and social exclusion and create a better understanding of mental illness in schools, in the workplace and everywhere else where lives are led.
Behind the campaign is a strong network, namely “The Joint Effort”, which was formed in 2010 by the parties: The Social Network of 2009, The Danish Mental Health Fund, TrygFonden, Danish Regions, the five regions, KL, The Ministry of Social Affairs, Children and Integration and The National Board of Health.
By buying this awesome model featuring an EN AF OS volunteer you support the campaign with 35 Danish kroner – and become part of the Brickbacker community!
Go to brickbacker.com/product/en-af-os/ to learn more and purchase this model to help them reach their goal. Unfortunately, this is only for sale to residents of European Union countries. But if you live in one of them, I hope you'll support this campaign!
An edited segment of my coverage of the Justice For Jordan Neely Rally.
All photos & video are mine EXCEPT the opening photo announcing the event, and the two horrific photos showing the chokehold and the aftermath.
the verdict is in and there was NO JUSTICE for Jordan Neely
now the Mayor & Governor are looking into getting more help for the homeless & mentally ill
why does someone have to DIE for change to come
in my opinion Penny is NO HERO--if he had merely restrained Neely--it would be a different story. A chokehold should never had been administered--it is outlawed in NY so why was he allowed to use it.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
November 2nd, 2014
Weston, WV
"Across from the West Fork River on 269 acres in Weston, West Virginia stands The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The two main hospital buildings stretch for an intimidating two-tenths of a mile and was to hold 250 patients. The hospital is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in America. The hospital also stands out because of the many stories about Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts.
Virginia had only two state hospitals in the mid 1800’s, Williamsburg and Staunton, and both were very overcrowded, so the Virginia Legislature voted to build another new state hospital and after a long search decided on Weston as the home. Construction began in 1858 but grounded to a halt in 1861 with the outbreak of the American Civil War.
When Virginia succeeded from the Union the state government demanded the money back that wasn’t already used for construction on the hospital so it could be used in their defense fund. The 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry had other plans and confiscated the money and delivered it to Wheeling. They used the money to fund the Reorganized Government of Virginia which sided with the Union. Appropriating more funds, the new government began construction again in 1862.
West Virginia became a state in 1863 and renamed Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum to West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. Construction continued until 1881 but admission of patients started in 1864. 1871 saw completion of the signature 200 foot clock tower.
The hospital’s goal was to become self-sufficient. It expanded to eventually include 666 acres and had on the grounds a dairy, a farm, a cemetery and waterworks. In 1902 they drilled a gas well and another name change to Weston State Hospital came in 1913.
The Charleston Gazette did a series of reports in 1949 reporting poor sanitation, lighting and heating in areas of the hospital. From the mid 1970’s to the closing of the hospital were the most violent. Patients killing patients, both male and female staff got attacked and some killed and the most violent patients kept in cages. In 1994 Weston State Hospital closed for good.
There are several thousand documented deaths connected to the hospital and three cemeteries located behind the hospital. The three cemeteries cover different times in the history of the hospital, the first cemetery covers 1858-1900, the second covers 1901-1933 and the last one 1933-1970’s. Due to missing markers however, it is nearly impossible to match names to those buried there.
With so many deaths throughout the history of the hospital, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of stories of Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts. Staff reports sounds of gurney’s being pushed down the hallways, screams coming from the electro-shock area and even doctor apparition’s roaming the hallways and rooms.
One of the most popular Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts is the story of Lily. Lily was born in the hospital in 1863, her mom; Gladys Ravensfield was a patient there. The story surrounding Gladys is that she was continuously raped and beaten by a group of Civil War soldiers and the resulting emotional after effects landed her in the asylum. Not long after her admission, they found out she was pregnant. Gladys gave birth to Lily nut sadly within a few hours Lily passed away.
Lily hangs around her mom’s room in the Civil War section and the hallways around there. She likes to play ball and will hold your hand when you walk by. Though she died as a new-born, most report the little girl as being around three years old. Apparently she also has acquired a sweet tooth and reports are that if you leave candy around, or even in your pocket, it will go missing. A child laughing and giggling are also often reported around Lily’s room.
The Civil War section seems the most active area in the haunted hospital. It is known for a Civil War soldier’s apparition, who’s been named Jacob, wandering aimlessly around the floor, loud banging and strange noises are heard, whispering and what seems like constant conversation being heard even though no one is on the floor."
SOURCE: www.themosthauntedplaces.com/trans-allegheny-lunatic-asyl...
From p. 237 of TOUCHED WITH FIRE by Kay Redfield Jamison.
The CREATIVE FIRE which so inspires us when we read, listen to music, or look at visual art, comes with a price for the creators.
Many creative folks have close family affected by depression, which can be inherited. Amazing how creativity and the bipolar or manic-depressive conditions travel together. What a price to pay for the FIRE in our bodies!
The author of TOUCHED WITH FIRE is also bipolar. And, as the book is concerned with how creativity and this malady travel together, I think some of you may find it informative to list authors/artists afflicted by it. I take the list from p.236, abridging from that printed there:
Those having at least ONE similarly afflicted first-degree relative:
Hans Christian Anderson, Elizabeth Bishop, Charlotte & Emily Bronte, Anton Bruckner, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), Gustave Courbet, Isak Dinesen, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robert Frost, Thomas Gainsborough, Johann Wolfgang Goethe, Nicolai Gogol, Kenneth Graham, Hermann Hesse, Charles Lamb, Marianne Moore, Edvard Munch, Francis Parkman, Walker Percy, Sylvia Plath, Jackson Pollock, Cole Porter, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Ruskin, Robert Lewis Stevenson, Peter Tchaicovsky, JMW Turner, Walt Whitman, and Emile Zola.
Quite a list.
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
November 2nd, 2014
Weston, WV
"Across from the West Fork River on 269 acres in Weston, West Virginia stands The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The two main hospital buildings stretch for an intimidating two-tenths of a mile and was to hold 250 patients. The hospital is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in America. The hospital also stands out because of the many stories about Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts.
Virginia had only two state hospitals in the mid 1800’s, Williamsburg and Staunton, and both were very overcrowded, so the Virginia Legislature voted to build another new state hospital and after a long search decided on Weston as the home. Construction began in 1858 but grounded to a halt in 1861 with the outbreak of the American Civil War.
When Virginia succeeded from the Union the state government demanded the money back that wasn’t already used for construction on the hospital so it could be used in their defense fund. The 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry had other plans and confiscated the money and delivered it to Wheeling. They used the money to fund the Reorganized Government of Virginia which sided with the Union. Appropriating more funds, the new government began construction again in 1862.
West Virginia became a state in 1863 and renamed Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum to West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. Construction continued until 1881 but admission of patients started in 1864. 1871 saw completion of the signature 200 foot clock tower.
The hospital’s goal was to become self-sufficient. It expanded to eventually include 666 acres and had on the grounds a dairy, a farm, a cemetery and waterworks. In 1902 they drilled a gas well and another name change to Weston State Hospital came in 1913.
The Charleston Gazette did a series of reports in 1949 reporting poor sanitation, lighting and heating in areas of the hospital. From the mid 1970’s to the closing of the hospital were the most violent. Patients killing patients, both male and female staff got attacked and some killed and the most violent patients kept in cages. In 1994 Weston State Hospital closed for good.
There are several thousand documented deaths connected to the hospital and three cemeteries located behind the hospital. The three cemeteries cover different times in the history of the hospital, the first cemetery covers 1858-1900, the second covers 1901-1933 and the last one 1933-1970’s. Due to missing markers however, it is nearly impossible to match names to those buried there.
With so many deaths throughout the history of the hospital, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of stories of Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts. Staff reports sounds of gurney’s being pushed down the hallways, screams coming from the electro-shock area and even doctor apparition’s roaming the hallways and rooms.
One of the most popular Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts is the story of Lily. Lily was born in the hospital in 1863, her mom; Gladys Ravensfield was a patient there. The story surrounding Gladys is that she was continuously raped and beaten by a group of Civil War soldiers and the resulting emotional after effects landed her in the asylum. Not long after her admission, they found out she was pregnant. Gladys gave birth to Lily nut sadly within a few hours Lily passed away.
Lily hangs around her mom’s room in the Civil War section and the hallways around there. She likes to play ball and will hold your hand when you walk by. Though she died as a new-born, most report the little girl as being around three years old. Apparently she also has acquired a sweet tooth and reports are that if you leave candy around, or even in your pocket, it will go missing. A child laughing and giggling are also often reported around Lily’s room.
The Civil War section seems the most active area in the haunted hospital. It is known for a Civil War soldier’s apparition, who’s been named Jacob, wandering aimlessly around the floor, loud banging and strange noises are heard, whispering and what seems like constant conversation being heard even though no one is on the floor."
SOURCE: www.themosthauntedplaces.com/trans-allegheny-lunatic-asyl...
Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum
November 2nd, 2014
Weston, WV
"Across from the West Fork River on 269 acres in Weston, West Virginia stands The Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. The two main hospital buildings stretch for an intimidating two-tenths of a mile and was to hold 250 patients. The hospital is the largest hand-cut stone masonry building in America. The hospital also stands out because of the many stories about Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts.
Virginia had only two state hospitals in the mid 1800’s, Williamsburg and Staunton, and both were very overcrowded, so the Virginia Legislature voted to build another new state hospital and after a long search decided on Weston as the home. Construction began in 1858 but grounded to a halt in 1861 with the outbreak of the American Civil War.
When Virginia succeeded from the Union the state government demanded the money back that wasn’t already used for construction on the hospital so it could be used in their defense fund. The 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry had other plans and confiscated the money and delivered it to Wheeling. They used the money to fund the Reorganized Government of Virginia which sided with the Union. Appropriating more funds, the new government began construction again in 1862.
West Virginia became a state in 1863 and renamed Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum to West Virginia Hospital for the Insane. Construction continued until 1881 but admission of patients started in 1864. 1871 saw completion of the signature 200 foot clock tower.
The hospital’s goal was to become self-sufficient. It expanded to eventually include 666 acres and had on the grounds a dairy, a farm, a cemetery and waterworks. In 1902 they drilled a gas well and another name change to Weston State Hospital came in 1913.
The Charleston Gazette did a series of reports in 1949 reporting poor sanitation, lighting and heating in areas of the hospital. From the mid 1970’s to the closing of the hospital were the most violent. Patients killing patients, both male and female staff got attacked and some killed and the most violent patients kept in cages. In 1994 Weston State Hospital closed for good.
There are several thousand documented deaths connected to the hospital and three cemeteries located behind the hospital. The three cemeteries cover different times in the history of the hospital, the first cemetery covers 1858-1900, the second covers 1901-1933 and the last one 1933-1970’s. Due to missing markers however, it is nearly impossible to match names to those buried there.
With so many deaths throughout the history of the hospital, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of stories of Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts. Staff reports sounds of gurney’s being pushed down the hallways, screams coming from the electro-shock area and even doctor apparition’s roaming the hallways and rooms.
One of the most popular Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum ghosts is the story of Lily. Lily was born in the hospital in 1863, her mom; Gladys Ravensfield was a patient there. The story surrounding Gladys is that she was continuously raped and beaten by a group of Civil War soldiers and the resulting emotional after effects landed her in the asylum. Not long after her admission, they found out she was pregnant. Gladys gave birth to Lily nut sadly within a few hours Lily passed away.
Lily hangs around her mom’s room in the Civil War section and the hallways around there. She likes to play ball and will hold your hand when you walk by. Though she died as a new-born, most report the little girl as being around three years old. Apparently she also has acquired a sweet tooth and reports are that if you leave candy around, or even in your pocket, it will go missing. A child laughing and giggling are also often reported around Lily’s room.
The Civil War section seems the most active area in the haunted hospital. It is known for a Civil War soldier’s apparition, who’s been named Jacob, wandering aimlessly around the floor, loud banging and strange noises are heard, whispering and what seems like constant conversation being heard even though no one is on the floor."
SOURCE: www.themosthauntedplaces.com/trans-allegheny-lunatic-asyl...
Ups and downs lately in my life.
Finally these photos can come out, I took this photos some months ago. Recently I did not have the motivation to process them correctly to my feelings. I ended up (as usual) using a color correction that evokes me nostalgia and melancholy.
A fragment of the story goes like this:
Always calm, without stopping, in the middle of the dark forest or in the sunny plains, follows her path without looking back, that is 'Soledad'...
I visited Riverview Hospital today.
In Chinese culture or society, it is unimaginable that a person will be interested in the asylum and want to take pictures there.
There is however the everlasting charisma for photographers in these abandoned places.
The West Lawn building is now closed and no longer allowed for entry. I have seen on Flickr some wonderful photos of the interiors. I was not able to get in and even when I take a few shots of the exterior, the security patrol warned me that we are not allowed to take pictures at the site at all.
Happy weekend!
We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.
Mother Teresa
Gitwa is a rural village accessible by foot only. Here children are particularly at risk of AIDS, malnutrition, and malaria. This young girl suffers from mental illness and epilepsy.
Gitwa, Tumba.
Butare, Rwanda.
Central Africa.
September 8, 2005.
For Africa Mission Alliance
I am a big fan of D.Gray Man's manga work, and I took Teez as inspiration to take these pictures. Teez is a golem that feeds on human organs, and only when they call him back, the host realize that has it.
"Grace is not part of consciousness; it is the amount of light in our souls, not knowledge nor reason."
~Pope Francis
St James Hospital Portsmouth. Old psychiatric hospital serving Portsmouth and south east Hampshire. Now in decline due to toxic Tory cutbacks in Mental health services
That had to be one of the saddest sentences I've heard. Saturday I wasn't going to bother the homeless people who are at the beach in the early morning. They go somewhere else when the crowds come - I don't know where. I do know someone brings them breakfast because they all had these same plates and cups.
But this woman stopped us and wanted to see Benni. Benni felt something from her and got up on the bench and sat by her. That's not normal Benni at the beginning of a beach walk. The woman said I could take her picture and that she used to live in Connecticut where she had a big black Great Dane. Her hand automatically went around Benni's neck and she sat and patted my good girl. We didn't talk any more.
Homeless people here wear all their clothes even though across the boardwalk from where she's sitting there were girls in bikinis sunning in the warm sand.
The Glore Psychiatric Museum chronicles the 130-year history of what was once known as the “State Lunatic Asylum No. 2.” The Museum uses full-sized replicas, interactive displays, audio-visuals, artifacts, and documents to illustrate the history of the treatment of mental illness. The museum is recognized as “one of the 50 most unusual Museums in the country.” It is also featured in the book “1,000 Places to See Before You Die in the USA and Canada.”
The Glore Psychiatric Museum is named for its founder George Glore, who spent most of his 41-year career with the Missouri Department of Mental Health nurturing its collections into arguably the largest and best single exhibition explaining the evolution of mental health care in the United States. His ultimate goal was to reduce the stigma associated with psychiatric treatment for patients, their families, and their communities.
‘State Lunatic Asylum No. 2’ opened in November of 1874
Homeless man sleeping in an alley in Downtown Los Angeles 1989. Photo by Gilbert Mercier. Published photograph ( four publications)
www.americanews.com/story/society/2016/02/09/obama-seeks-...
Also published in a French article by Theo Chapuis in Konbini,com: "Sur Terre, 62 Personnes Detiennent Autant de Richesses que la Moitie de la Planete"
www.konbini.com/fr/tendances-2/62-personnes-possedent-aut...
Also published by The University of Minnesota Library to illustrate it social studies chapter 14.3 Problems of Urban Life under Homelessness.
open.lib.umn.edu/socialproblems/chapter/14-3-problems-of-...