For 3 months, the psychiatric ward was my reality. I lost my freedom, but not hope

My name is Luke Galati, and I live in Toronto. I want to share my experience of spending three months in a psychiatric ward in downtown Toronto in 2023. I live with bipolar 1 disorder, which means that I experience intense highs and lows. When I’m unwell, I can lose touch with reality and believe things that aren’t true.

During my time in the hospital, I experienced mania, where I acted irrationally and made decisions that didn’t make sense to others. I stopped taking my medication and hadn’t slept in days, which led to my hospitalization. The ICU was the toughest part of my stay, as it lacked privacy and felt unwelcoming. I felt like a fish in a tank, constantly being watched.

The structure of the hospital helped me stabilize. I had a routine of medication, meals, and sleep that kept me steady. Moving to a room on the 17th floor symbolized progress for me, and having access to amenities like a TV room and my own washroom made a big difference.

Despite the challenges, I found ways to cope during my time in the hospital. I pretended to play basketball in my room and walked back and forth to stay active. I read magazines and books, wrote poetry, and reflected on my life. Having family and friends visit me also made a huge difference.

After three months, I was able to leave the hospital and return home. While it was a triumphant moment, I felt nervous about integrating back into the outside world. However, I’m now focusing on my writing and volunteering as a basketball coach. I hope to live a healthy and happy life and continue to share my story through projects like my radio documentary, “Dreaming of Better.”

Being in a psychiatric ward isn’t the end of my mental health journey. I’ve learned to never lose hope and to find ways to keep moving forward. I don’t see myself as a victim, but rather as someone who has gone through a tough time and come out stronger on the other side.