These AREN'T suggestions these are merely human rights

I got put in a physciatric facility at the age of 12. I barely knew my own rights and was scared. As I grew older I realized I wasn't being "dramatic" and that these facilities truly take advantage of us. Dehumanizing is the only way I can describe it. It can truly happen to anyone. This needs to stop being swept under the rug. This can truly happen to ANYONE. We cannot keep letting these facilities take advantage of us.

WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW. WE CANNOT SIT AND WAIT FOR SOMETHING TO CHANGE ONLY WE AS PEOPLE CAN ADVOCATE FOR OUR RIGHTS! These need to be laws that are enforced and not just recommendations.

 

Reforms-

Required by the law to take phone calls when a patient would like. A patient being unable to contact family outside of the treatment is isolating and further worsens their conditions. Allow meets in person weekly.

Taking pictures of the patients nude body should not be permitted as a minor. As an adult it should only be permitted with coherent consent. 

Doors are required for patients in bathrooms. You should not only be covered by an ineffectively small piece of curtain/fabric. We need a sense of comfort and security along with a right to privacy. 

The patients should be allowed freedom to leave and enter their room as they please. Being locked up can create a feeling of lost control. This doesn't help and only further agitates patients. Socializing or even having alone time is a necessity for the healing process that these facilities claim to provide.

Food should be provided when the patient asks along with water and other beverages. 

Nude searches should not be permitted towards minors and only permitted towards adults with coherent consent. Bras and undergarments should be kept on unless patient is an adult with consent. 

You should be informed of the medications you are put on beforehand. You should be fully informed of the side effects and consent to taking it. 

The only way around these rules is if a patient is being violent towards another for no apparent reason, the patient is on drugs not including cannabis, or nicotine, the patient is harming themselves or the patient needs medical accomodations. (Has to be reasonable or for safety purposes)

Piercings should not be forcefully ripped out and substitutions to put in piercings so they do not close should be optional. I had fresh piercings whenever I was admitted and was forced to rip them out along with other patients.

Pads and tampons ARE NOT OPTIONAL. Some women have heavier flows and some need certain feminine products. It's disgusting and neglectful that we sometimes do not have access to these.

Clothing should not be "disposable". The clothes they make us wear in some facilities are easily rippable and irritating to the skin. 

No use of physical restraints unless the patient is harming property, themselves, or others. 

Shower time should not be limited to any less than 20 minutes. We have a right to hygiene.

Your support is what we need to change this corrupt system.