As a current patient at Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA, I have firsthand experience of how vital incoming packages are to our well-being. These packages represent more than just physical goods—they are lifelines to the outside world, providing comfort and a sense of connection to family and friends. The decision to ban incoming packages will not only impact us emotionally but it will also put us at a disadvantage by limiting our access to basic personal necessities and enriching activities.
For many patients, incoming packages contain essential items that the hospital does not always provide or have in stock. These include personalized clothing, specific toiletries catering to our individual needs, books for mental engagement, and beloved items that improve our living conditions. The ban places an unnecessary burden on patients, many of whom rely heavily on these kinds of personalized support systems to endure hospital life.
Evidence from multiple studies indicates that conditions in psychiatric facilities improve when patients maintain external links and receive personalized care items from friends and family. Restricting these interactions and supports can increase feelings of isolation and depression, counteracting therapeutic efforts and possibly leading to longer hospitalization times.
I understand concerns might exist around safety and security, which is why I propose we continue to implement a controlled and supervised parcel review system instead of a blanket ban. This system ensures all packages are inspected for safety while maintaining patients' valuable connections with their loved ones.
THANK YOU for wanting to donate, but we are NOT fundraising through this platform. Any donation requests from ipetitions.com are FOR ipetitions.com!
16 Comments
I am in total agreement with the points made in the petition. Sending care packages(clothing, books, shampoo, etc.) is one of the only ways I have of showing my continued support of a patient at the hospital. Please do not ban this. Please continue to review items before giving them to the patient.
There were no fitting shoes available for my CRPS until I recieved them from family through a mail package! I was suffering great pain
VA
I firmly believe that it's a violation of the patient's civil rights to be unable to receive packages at this facility
I think that it's B/S. People in jail can get packages!!! I've GOT SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH ADDICTION!!!! PLUS LOTS OF SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM AGE 2 1/2. AUGUST 28TH WAS MY 6 YEAR MARK FROM HARD DRUGS AND ALCOHOL! I SMOKE MARIJUANA WITH MY MEDS PHYSICAL AND MENTALLY. I HAD TO PUT MYSELF IN UVA HOSPITAL CAUSE OF MY THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS B4 I WAS DIAGNOSED OF ALL MY MENTAL ILLNESSES AND EVENTUALLY FOUND AN AMAZING PSAYCITRIST AND IM SO GREATFUL FOR HER! BUT WAT SUCKS IF U WAS IN A PLACE LIKE THIS 1 LIL MESS UP AND UR TROWN AWAY LIKE A PIECE OF TRASH! THERE'S NO RESPECT! FROM THE ATHORITY ! THEY SIGN ON A LINE BOOM THEY'RE GONE! EVERYTHING THEY OWN WHERE DOES THAT GO? IT GOES TO SOMEONE ELSE NOW THEY HAVE NOTHING WHEN THEY GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL LIKE REGIN 10 IN LOVEINGSTON VA! IVE LEARNED THERE ROUTINE THERE WITH THESE PEOPLE!
We feel cared for as patients and a humans in general when we get packages/mail. It is our human right to have Mail in packages/mail.
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As a current patient at Western State Hospital in Staunton, VA, I have firsthand experience of how vital incoming packages are to our well-being. These packages represent more than just physical goods—they are lifelines to the outside world, providing comfort and a sense of connection to family and friends. The decision to ban incoming packages will not only impact us emotionally but it will also put us at a disadvantage by limiting our access to basic personal necessities and enriching activities.
For many patients, incoming packages contain essential items that the hospital does not always provide or have in stock. These include personalized clothing, specific toiletries catering to our individual needs, books for mental engagement, and beloved items that improve our living conditions. The ban places an unnecessary burden on patients, many of whom rely heavily on these kinds of personalized support systems to endure hospital life.
Evidence from multiple studies indicates that conditions in psychiatric facilities improve when patients maintain external links and receive personalized care items from friends and family. Restricting these interactions and supports can increase feelings of isolation and depression, counteracting therapeutic efforts and possibly leading to longer hospitalization times.
I understand concerns might exist around safety and security, which is why I propose we continue to implement a controlled and supervised parcel review system instead of a blanket ban. This system ensures all packages are inspected for safety while maintaining patients' valuable connections with their loved ones.
THANK YOU for wanting to donate, but we are NOT fundraising through this platform. Any donation requests from ipetitions.com are FOR ipetitions.com!
16 Comments
I can't remember the last time I was this eager to sign a petition. From my own experience as a patient, receiving packages proved to be an enormous consolation whenever I was dealing with stressors. Great work, Shawna!
I am in total agreement with the points made in the petition. Sending care packages(clothing, books, shampoo, etc.) is one of the only ways I have of showing my continued support of a patient at the hospital. Please do not ban this. Please continue to review items before giving them to the patient.
There were no fitting shoes available for my CRPS until I recieved them from family through a mail package! I was suffering great pain
VA
I firmly believe that it's a violation of the patient's civil rights to be unable to receive packages at this facility
I think that it's B/S. People in jail can get packages!!! I've GOT SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS WITH ADDICTION!!!! PLUS LOTS OF SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM AGE 2 1/2. AUGUST 28TH WAS MY 6 YEAR MARK FROM HARD DRUGS AND ALCOHOL! I SMOKE MARIJUANA WITH MY MEDS PHYSICAL AND MENTALLY. I HAD TO PUT MYSELF IN UVA HOSPITAL CAUSE OF MY THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS B4 I WAS DIAGNOSED OF ALL MY MENTAL ILLNESSES AND EVENTUALLY FOUND AN AMAZING PSAYCITRIST AND IM SO GREATFUL FOR HER! BUT WAT SUCKS IF U WAS IN A PLACE LIKE THIS 1 LIL MESS UP AND UR TROWN AWAY LIKE A PIECE OF TRASH! THERE'S NO RESPECT! FROM THE ATHORITY ! THEY SIGN ON A LINE BOOM THEY'RE GONE! EVERYTHING THEY OWN WHERE DOES THAT GO? IT GOES TO SOMEONE ELSE NOW THEY HAVE NOTHING WHEN THEY GET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL LIKE REGIN 10 IN LOVEINGSTON VA! IVE LEARNED THERE ROUTINE THERE WITH THESE PEOPLE!
We feel cared for as patients and a humans in general when we get packages/mail. It is our human right to have Mail in packages/mail.
Please help if you can
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I can't remember the last time I was this eager to sign a petition. From my own experience as a patient, receiving packages proved to be an enormous consolation whenever I was dealing with stressors. Great work, Shawna!