Beginning in the late 1970s, I worked in a Mental Institution ...and was employed there for 18 years, to the very moment funding was not available to any further delay its closure.

That is what it was first called ...a Mental Hospital or Institution.  Later they named it something like ...Community Health.  And that was probably more accurate, as the majority of patients didn't appear to be mentally ill.

That made it more difficult for those who were mentally ill, having to deal with problematic behaviors of other kids who were qualified as unmanageable ...for whatever family, school, or community setting they were apparently designated to have reportedly failed in.  (See ...even thinking about it, I'm beginning to sound a bit like a few psychologists and psychiatrists I've known.  Not making much sense, that is.)

(And to be honest, I guess all of us could be accused of having a few ill feelings towards someone. Furthermore, since our feelings are mental, does that qualify as mentally ill?)

Enough about me ...how bout you??  Or back to ...about them, in the Community Health Facility.  The lasting effect or influence was difficult to discern.  The mentally ill youth would ideally be integrated back into society, instead of being shoved off somewhere away from everyone else.  The best scenario would be a totally loving and accepting society ...but, that is not really realistic, even if it is a far-reaching goal.  So, short of ideal, perhaps the mentally ill could learn some coping skills ...since, realistically, the problematic people are always going to exist. Yet, we wouldn't want the mentally ill to also pick up some of the delinquent and antisocial behaviors of the troublesome youth.

And there is also the consideration of those who are working with the troubled youth ...whether they can effectively manage the problems.  In view of undetected behaviors, or a failure in deterring problems that clearly have been made aware to all ...the troubled and delinquent youth may find opportunity to have a field day with the mentally ill, farbeit the delinquent becoming even more delinquent.

I'm not fond of the statement, "I digress ...", but I guess it's best I do.