Valiantly Loving

The most common question a college student is asked is: “what is your plan now?” While this question is equally exhilarating and nerve-wreaking, I was asked it over and over and over again before leaving for summer break. 

I had dreamt all semester long about having a “big-kid” internship in a fancy office in the city—yet wasn’t successful in landing any of those positions. While disappointed about not getting those opportunities, I was still hopeful. I knew that God had a plan, and that there were things and people I needed to take care of in Seattle. 

Fast-forwarding, I came home and began the mad-goose hunt chase for a summer job. One may ask, where does a qualified, yet desperate college student find a job—hey you guessed it, Craigslist! I applied to literally every job which I thought I was eligible for. From being a barista (don’t worry, not the bikini kind) to an administrative assistant. I was confident that I would land a job, just not sure which one it would be. 

I waited. And waited. And waited a little more. Jobs called, yet once they found out I was a student back for a short summer, they told me that I was “just not the right candidate”. And finally, I got a call that changed everything. 

When the lady on the phone asked if I wanted an interview I was thrilled, however quite honestly could not quite remember applying for the job. I jotted down the information quickly about the position, and thanked my future employer for her time and said that I would see her the following week. 

After ending the phone call, I immediately Googled the facility and the job I applied for. When on the telephone, I was under the impression that the job was at a clinic—and after investigation I found out it was indeed a clinic, however the main purpose of the institution was to be an in-patient psychiatric facility. 

On reading about the center, I became nervous and questioned calling my future boss back to cancel the appointment. However, when I found out exactly what the job entailed I decided that I was indeed qualified and that I would feel the job out on my interview date. 

“I had previously been a Psychology major in school… I have been an RA for the past two years... I am a proud food handler’s card holder… I attain my First Aid/CPR certification... I am great with diversity, team work, and communication ... I enjoy fast-paced environments and learning quickly… I am passionate about people.” And like that my interview was over. 

I had no idea truly how the interview went; however at the end my future boss asked if I would like a tour of the facilities. I was excited and soon the tour began. She first began by telling me that all doors are to be remained locked at all times, and that facility will have a passpoint/key to doors which must be closed behind them (this included the main front door). Then she went on to tell me that the room which we had been having our interview in was the courtroom. In this room all official meetings occurred, however since all patients are court-mandated to the facility all of their court hearings also took place there. As we left the room, we walked down a long white hallway. Suddenly I became really nervous, and knew that I had no idea what I was about to see. Finally we approached a large metal door, and when we got here she explained that when opening this door you must always look through glass window first and look into the mirror to make sure no one is hiding behind the door. When walking through the door I saw all of the patients for the first-time. There was an array of individuals. There were people who looked like zombies; however there were also people that looked like I could have seen them at the grocery store. There were individuals from almost every age, background, and social economic-level. As we walked through the unit, although deep down I was nervous, I kept up a very good front and continued communication with my tour-guide. We walked past the kitchen, nurse’s station, outside recreational area, main communal gathering place, meeting rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms. Finally I got the tour of the seclusion room, as well as the gurney which patients are brought on when they come into the facility. I was in culture-shock. I had never been in a mental hospital, nor had been around so many individuals who were mentally ill. 

I drove home in a sort-of daze, and upon arrival I discussed my experience with my mom. I was very much on the fence about taking the job. I knew that the only way I could absolutely know would to be in constant prayer about it—and if I was to be offered the job, have a heart that was not heavy. So that is exactly what I did. Finally my future boss called me, and I was in a place that I knew was right. 

I announced to specific friends and family where I would be working, and while some were supportive—others were not. I knew that they were looking into my best interest—yet still took the job.

I have been working as a Psych Tech for 3 days now, and I could not be happier that I took the position. I have already learned more than I have ever learned about mental illness, perspectives have shifted, and I can truly say that my heart has already been changed because of some of the patients which I have come across. 

This blog is a dedication. 

This blog is a dedication for not only for the heartbreaking stories which I come across daily, but also the stories of hope which I know are possible. 

This blog is a dedication for the one in four adults who suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. 

My main purpose for this page is to communicate a message of valiantly loving everyone, not just the individual who seems “normal” or “sane”.  I named this blog 25:40 from the verse Matthew 25:40, "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' 

As believers, this world is our mission field. We are called to love not just our brothers and sisters overseas, but also our brothers and sisters in our own back yard. With that—I am not telling you to also go and work at a psychiatric facility, instead I am asking for prayer. Prayer for me, prayer for patients who will be coming in and out of this treatment center this summer, and prayer for anyone who is struggling with a mental illness. There is so much power in the name of Jesus.