Long-term stays in psychiatric institutions were once a relatively common treatment in this country. They’re not anymore, but that doesn’t mean they’ve gone away entirely. Anita meets someone who spent three years living in a psychiatric hospital in the early 90s and talks with an activist whose time spent in contemporary psychiatric hospitals pushed them to fight for alternatives.

Meet the guests:

- Suzanne Scanlon spent three years living inside the New York State Psychiatric Institute in her early 20s and is the author of the memoir  “Committed: On Meaning and Madwomen”

- Stefanie Lyn Kaufman-Mthimkulu is an organizer, healer and the founder and director of Project LETs

**If you or someone you know is in an emotional crisis, reach out to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting 988.**

Special thanks to Chanika Svetvilas and Laura Lopez-Aybar, who contributed to this episode.

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Places to find diverse narratives about psychiatric institutionalization: 

- Vesper Moore

- Nadia Naomi Mbonde

- Depressed While Black online community