Institutionalization: may mean having the institutional syndrome, the psychological and mental health effects of living for a long time in an institution or similar.

My life thus far has been almost all about institutionalization, whether it is through the state's foster care system for seven years, or just having to be in a psych ward for four months. The things that I have learned while being institutionalized and being in different places have molded me.

Very little of these things were positive, most were negative. Foster care shows you a different way of life being that you have to live ways that you are not particularly used to. Depending on the family you live with, you may end up coming mentally, physically, and emotionally scarred. You learn to adapt to your surroundings and you definitely pick up your own set of survival skills. Not all foster homes were bad, but they all leave you with the same lesson: you must have survival skills.

Being in the psych ward was the most pivotal part of my life for me. I learned what it was like to break down, to be lifted up, and what it was like to get through it. I will say that the psych ward gave me the tools that I needed to battle depression and the monsters of my past. It taught me that I had more strength than I ever thought I could ever muster up.

Today, I am 26 years old and I am done with the life of being institutionalized, but I am still a heavy part of it. I have a younger sibling, who is currently in a nursing home. Due to having guardianship of this sibling, I am very much involved in the daily care, the visits, and everything that goes on within the nursing home. The things that I have seen will always be the things that break my heart. Some of the kids that live there don't have family involvement, and the saying is true: if you do not have family involvement, you are not well cared for.

It breaks my heart to know that this is the truth when it comes to being institutionalized. It is the truth for many children, and it was the truth for me.

I will always pray for those that have no choice, but to be institutionalized. My heart goes out to them, and just know that I know what it feels like to not be taken care of, to be mentally and emotionally exhausted.

I wish better for you.

I asked for the people that don't know what we've been through, please do not take everything at face value. Please understand that those who are institutionalized have been through things you will never realize. Some of us may not be able to speak on it, some of our voices will be heard and will be shouted from the rooftops, and unfortunately there are some of those who won't make it.

I hope to be a voice for all of the above.