I remember after my first hospitalization from mental illness that my therapist told me it was very important to not stay in contact with the people I met at the hospital.
But, why? "But, why?" was all I could ask her and wonder. Tears rolled down my face as I tried to explain to her that these girls understood me, they knew what I was talking about, and they were just like me. However, her response was still, "I don't think it is the best idea to be friends with girls from a mental hospital. Especially those from when you were there at the same time."
My heart crashed. I felt like I had been slapped in the face. It was like someone came over to me and just ripped out my heart. However, I remember getting in the car and telling my mom and she simply said to me, "you can still be friends with them." After receiving my mother's approval I decided to ignore what my therapist said and continue to be friends with some of them.
I only remained in contact with a solid two of them for a while. However, the solid two turned into one. It was okay though because I was glad to just have her.
What makes me really mad about the whole situation was that my therapist made it seem like it was not okay at all that I had made a friend who not only understood me, but I understood from a mental hospital.
After a couple more hospitalizations, I had met one girl who changed my life. Yes, sounds dramatic, I know. But really, she changed my life and I changed hers. She is someone who I call my best friend today even though we are miles apart because we are at college.
My old therapist would call me crazy for saying I met my "best friend" at a "mental hospital." However, I wouldn't call myself crazy because of this. I call myself blessed.
How lucky was I to meet a girl who is just like me? How lucky am I to say today that we talk just about every day? How lucky am I to say that I can vent to her and she can vent to me? How lucky am I to say, wow I finally met someone who completely gets me? I would say pretty damn lucky.
There should be no reason why I was told in the first place to not be friends with people I meet while at a mental hospital. In other's opinions, I guess there are reasons. Maybe if they put a little perspective into it, just maybe they would understand. Once they have things into perspective a little they can get back to me on if it is okay or not be friends with someone you meet at a mental hospital. Because once they have had their hearts touched by someone who truly makes a difference in their life I hope there is room for understanding.
It shouldn't even be an argument whether it is okay or not. It is 100% okay to be best friends with someone you met at a mental hospital. There should be no reason why it isn't. If you think otherwise, it is probably time you close your mouth and let others be happy for a chance.
I am fine with saying I met one of my best friends in a mental hospital because without her I may have not made it to this point and been able to write this article thanking her for all she has done for me.
