Commonwealth of Virginia Western State Hospital

There is justice, restoration, forgiveness. Peacemaking doesn't mean passivity. It is the act of interrupting Injustice without mirroring injustice, the act of disarming evil without destroying the evildoer, the act of finding a third way that is neither fight nor flight but the careful, ardous pursuit of reconciliation and justice. It is about a revolution of love that is big enough to set both the oppressor and the oppressed free.

The facility is clean, and every staff member I interacted with was helpful and friendly. I just visited a friend here and am hoping to return soon to visit him again.

The psychiatrist from Jamaica ? Or somewhere like that, black lady, ruined my life. And the beds have cork screws coming out of them, it’s a nightmare

My #civilrights were violated in this hospital twice under the #VirginiaValuesAct. I documented them on both occasions. I was treated like a joke here in a time I was in crisis. I was released July 9th. A day before they declared "No More New Admissions". Two patients contacted me and told me they are shutting down the unit I was in. To be laughed at by a nurse coordinator and genitalia public announced. Well there you go guys, I'll announce it. I born male and I'm LEGALLY female 2016 and diagnosed in 2012 transgender. The Virginia Values Act doesn't apply to some citizens. The depressed. The dysphoric. The transgender voters with an American abusive history. A human history.

This is a false prison. If you don’t like someone try lying about their mental health. This place is perfect for revenge. They’ll only justify your opinion about the people you don’t like.

Pretty boring at first but by the 5th day of isolation the homies started to appear overall pretty fun

How this place hasn't been forced to shutdown yet amazes me. After working here in nursing I left very briefly for a better nursing job. So, many staff members wanted me back within 2 weeks I went ahead and put back in because I felt so bad for nursing staff. The shortage is wild and so unsafe. Sometimes, one PNA on the floor and their paid the lowest but put in danger all day,everyday and run to death. Deployment comes out with who is on your floor that day to help and it looks like you have staff but you don't. People from mental health or admissions office get added or transportation and you don't really have that help. Fights break out and maybe their is or maybe their isn't help on the floor. Not all but many RNs sit in the nurse station and won't assist on the floor or run during emergency situations the opposite way. When I put back in to help I was told I didn't qualify lol. After I worked their as long as I did and was gone very briefly I now don't qualify? Haha. Remind you I was asked by several to come back because I would work and was their for my staff. Left on good terms too but this place is beyond dangerous. Their isn't teamwork anymore, staff shortage is real and the promise bonuses that the tax the heck out of. Many patients coming in are forensic or behavioral. Very few are truly sick an many other jobs pay more and will appreciate you more and not put you in harm's way without having your back. Just about anyone can walk through the doors and get a state job anymore.

I was at Western State 4 years ago, at the time I hated it, but the Dr’s and hospital really gave me a new lease on life. I had been hospitalized numerous times for schizophrenia and my last time there I was there for 7 months. Dr. Nickle’s put me on invega Sustenna the injection, and counseled with me and I finally came out of my delusional state. I am pretty high functioning and with the meds I pretty much function like a normal person. I really appreciated the staff that worked with me. At the time because I had been in a delusional state for so long they were not certain I would come out of it. The combination of the meds and counseling from Dr. Nickles really helped me. I’ve been stable for the last 4 years. I’ve also learned taking your medication is very crucial to maintaining a stable life. I really appreciated Dr. Nickles and his staff. I could be in a much, much worse place.

I was there in 2019 & 2020, First Floor & Second altogether 9months of my life was spent there... I was very abusive and a very angry man back then I use to spit on security, punch them, and they never ever beat me or stomped me out I was in the chair and restraints over 50 times, The techs were always kind and would talk to you like you went to high school with them even when I went crazy and ended up in the chair they'd sit and talk to me they don't know it but they were saving my life....

Been working there during the remodel. I’m only on the outside but for anyone that’s interested in the paranormal field this building is gold. I’ve taken a EMF meter to the bottom floor where’s there’s a broken window and stuck it in and it lights up every time without fail. This no electricity in this part of the building and hasn’t been for many years.