Surroundings are most important, but i get so involved in my work that i don't give a thought to anything, but what i am doing....learning, writing and sharing. I have been there and done that, and learned from the experiences. I get so involved in what I am doing I lose track of time. I have no time to think about anything else. It has got me into trouble, because I have forgotten in the past to eat or sleep. Then, after awhile, i would detach and just want to stay in bed. Then, my family would put me into a mental hospital, which was not a healthy asylum. i would be treated with toxic mind destroying drugs, instead of nourishment for the brain. The most important things for mental health: Nutrient-rich food for the brain, adequate hours of deep sleep, daily sunshine, fresh air, exercise and knowing you are never alone...the Creator is always with you.
One thing my husband does — it’s his project for today — is enclose the pergola that surrounds our little goldfish pond and a small seating area. It becomes a temporary greenhouse. It allows me to be outside but protected from wind and snow. It’s not as good as flying somewhere warm but it does help. Winter does a number on me every year.
Really interesting. During COVID lockdowns, I lived on the 10th floor of a high-rise, urban apartment. Stepping out on to my balcony to see even one person walking down the sidewalk made me feel less alone, and less crazy. Your post makes complete sense to me.
A healing environment has to include hope & a purpose for living. As you point out, the physical environment is also a crucial factor. I know this personally as I struggle with ADHD that leads to some degree of chaos.
Home & a sense of a safe place- within our bodies and environment - cannot be separated. Yet when one is lost, cultivating the other makes all the difference in the world. Thank you for your beautiful and hopeful sharing! 🙏💚
Thanks for an excellent post. I agree, through experience, that where you live has a massive impact on mental health. One place can cause a downward spiral and another place can be one of healing
This essay rings completely true. Where we are matters so much.
One author, tho I cannot recall who right now once said: “we all need three things: something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.”
Without these, we founder.
My maternal grandfather was supposedly diagnosed with depression, in the mid 1920’s. He was sent to Willard State in Upstate NY. What a nightmare it is to look at that place now. I have no idea how he survived it.
Also? I just used my stack to share a session I will never forget. I DO believe that everyone is entitled to respect and to help… this one pushed me to my edges.
This is really lovely, Sarah. Thank you for writing! For anyone who might be curious, this is the brand of light therapy my daughter’s psychiatrist prescribed. This was back in 2020 so I don’t know if there have been improvements / advancements in the tech since. It’s no substitute for all the things Sarah mentions - green space, sunlight, outdoors of any kind - but it did seem to help my daughter when she needed all the help she could get. Her sister and I use it, too!
You provide useful information, Ms. Fay. But you undermine that by overstatement. When people read that "Where You Live Determines..." they assume it's "cause and effect". Your explanations make it clearer that there are many variables for "where", and many degrees of "recovery". Ask yourself what it is you're tring to accomplish by chossing the word "determines" when you know you're talking about "can determine" or "might determine" especially under certain (expensive or ideal) conditions.
Having moved to the country in March, with a stunning view of cedars, multiple types of birds and other wildlife, I feel blessed. We have canned our home/property Cedar Hollow Retreat.
AND, I miss being in a walkable community.
The adjustment to country living has been more challenging than I thought it would be.
Wednesday night ladies' fun badminton will save me this winter when it comes to commumity connection.
This is such a powerful and necessary reminder. I see this in my own work every day — environment is not an accessory to healing; it’s the foundation. People blame themselves for not “getting better,” when in reality they’re trying to recover in conditions that keep their nervous systems in a constant state of threat, deprivation, or chaos.
A safe home, a view, natural light, quiet, stability — these are not luxuries. They’re therapeutic interventions in themselves. And the disparity in who gets access to healing environments is one of the most under-acknowledged drivers of misdiagnosis, chronic illness labels, and stalled recovery.
Your writing articulates that truth with such clarity.
Surroundings are most important, but i get so involved in my work that i don't give a thought to anything, but what i am doing....learning, writing and sharing. I have been there and done that, and learned from the experiences. I get so involved in what I am doing I lose track of time. I have no time to think about anything else. It has got me into trouble, because I have forgotten in the past to eat or sleep. Then, after awhile, i would detach and just want to stay in bed. Then, my family would put me into a mental hospital, which was not a healthy asylum. i would be treated with toxic mind destroying drugs, instead of nourishment for the brain. The most important things for mental health: Nutrient-rich food for the brain, adequate hours of deep sleep, daily sunshine, fresh air, exercise and knowing you are never alone...the Creator is always with you.
I’m going to try to spend more time outside. I do get very depressed each winter. Maybe being outdoors will help!
The dark days definitely have an effect on me.
One thing my husband does — it’s his project for today — is enclose the pergola that surrounds our little goldfish pond and a small seating area. It becomes a temporary greenhouse. It allows me to be outside but protected from wind and snow. It’s not as good as flying somewhere warm but it does help. Winter does a number on me every year.
I’ve tried those special lights but they’re not close to the same as sunlight. The pergola sounds lovely!
Really interesting. During COVID lockdowns, I lived on the 10th floor of a high-rise, urban apartment. Stepping out on to my balcony to see even one person walking down the sidewalk made me feel less alone, and less crazy. Your post makes complete sense to me.
A healing environment has to include hope & a purpose for living. As you point out, the physical environment is also a crucial factor. I know this personally as I struggle with ADHD that leads to some degree of chaos.
Home & a sense of a safe place- within our bodies and environment - cannot be separated. Yet when one is lost, cultivating the other makes all the difference in the world. Thank you for your beautiful and hopeful sharing! 🙏💚
You’re so right. My home has been invaluable to my life as a Mad person. It allows me to remain free, productive, and thriving.
Thanks for an excellent post. I agree, through experience, that where you live has a massive impact on mental health. One place can cause a downward spiral and another place can be one of healing
This essay rings completely true. Where we are matters so much.
One author, tho I cannot recall who right now once said: “we all need three things: something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.”
Without these, we founder.
My maternal grandfather was supposedly diagnosed with depression, in the mid 1920’s. He was sent to Willard State in Upstate NY. What a nightmare it is to look at that place now. I have no idea how he survived it.
Also? I just used my stack to share a session I will never forget. I DO believe that everyone is entitled to respect and to help… this one pushed me to my edges.
As a mental health clinician I have so much I could write on this. Surroundings are just so very important.
Even in the 21st C we still could be doing a lot more in our approach and care of those who need mental health support.
Thank you for always being willing to share your story with us.
This is really lovely, Sarah. Thank you for writing! For anyone who might be curious, this is the brand of light therapy my daughter’s psychiatrist prescribed. This was back in 2020 so I don’t know if there have been improvements / advancements in the tech since. It’s no substitute for all the things Sarah mentions - green space, sunlight, outdoors of any kind - but it did seem to help my daughter when she needed all the help she could get. Her sister and I use it, too!
https://northernlighttechnologies.com/shop/travelite-desk-lamp-ii-2/
So interesting to know the true meaning of the word asylum. Wish we could get more mental health institutions to take that approach. Also, here is what Dorothia Dix‘s former facilities and grounds have become today in Raleigh. It’s an interesting story. https://www.wral.com/lifestyle/family/dix-park-gipson-play-plaza-opening-raleigh-june-2025/
You provide useful information, Ms. Fay. But you undermine that by overstatement. When people read that "Where You Live Determines..." they assume it's "cause and effect". Your explanations make it clearer that there are many variables for "where", and many degrees of "recovery". Ask yourself what it is you're tring to accomplish by chossing the word "determines" when you know you're talking about "can determine" or "might determine" especially under certain (expensive or ideal) conditions.
Having moved to the country in March, with a stunning view of cedars, multiple types of birds and other wildlife, I feel blessed. We have canned our home/property Cedar Hollow Retreat.
AND, I miss being in a walkable community.
The adjustment to country living has been more challenging than I thought it would be.
Wednesday night ladies' fun badminton will save me this winter when it comes to commumity connection.
This is such a powerful and necessary reminder. I see this in my own work every day — environment is not an accessory to healing; it’s the foundation. People blame themselves for not “getting better,” when in reality they’re trying to recover in conditions that keep their nervous systems in a constant state of threat, deprivation, or chaos.
A safe home, a view, natural light, quiet, stability — these are not luxuries. They’re therapeutic interventions in themselves. And the disparity in who gets access to healing environments is one of the most under-acknowledged drivers of misdiagnosis, chronic illness labels, and stalled recovery.
Your writing articulates that truth with such clarity.
This article a very important concept. Thanks for sharing it.
Ed note: I think the last sentence is out of place.