Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Cherokee Mental Health Institute
State Psychiatric Hospital / Inpatient Mental Health Treatment Facility
Verified Treatment Services
Parents please don't send your kids here. I went when I was 15 in 2012 for 3 weeks, and for a 48 hour hold when I was 14. While I was there, my most vivid memory was that I threw a crayon(childish, I know) and before I could think, two staff members dragged me to a 'quiet room, a room with cement flooring and concrete walls, no windows. Both staff (thankfully women) stripped me of all my clothes except underwear, they did strip me of my bra as well. And put on me this velcroed quilt gown thing that I had to wear for the next 3 days, which had pretty big arm holes, and as a young teen with no bra wearing that, it was very uncomfortable, especially around male staff. All of that for throwing a crayon. The other distinct memory I have is during 'school hours', a boy about 8 years old, walked over the the trash can and vomited. The teacher made him carry his own vomit, the small trash bag of vomit upstairs to show to staff and have him throw it away himself. He was a child. He had the flu. He also was put in the quiet room at different times. At 8 years old. I was told while I was there that what i was struggling with wasn't a big deal, I had 'good parents and a good home' so I shouldn't be dealing with the struggles I was. Even though there was some gaslighting on my parents part and questionable responses to my behavior, I felt so shameful and guilty for my struggles and like I was wrong to be struggling the way I was and deserved punishment. ADHD, OCD, anxiety and depression doesn't pick a select window of people, it can happen to anybody, doesn't matter they're background. And there was some trauma going on at home at the time that was never addressed nor did cherokee provide a safe environment for me to bring up. The nurse on shift and a staff member said to me the day I left "see you in a month" and the other said "I give it a week". I remember thinking to myself "no matter what im going to prove them wrong, I'm never coming back." And I never did. Now I'm 27 and have gotten actual help, and still working through childhood and other trauma. This place should be shut down. Many staff there shouldnt be there. If you are telling young adult and kid mental health patients that every thing that's happened to them or why theyre admitted there is their fault and guilt them and shame them, you shouldn't be in practice.
