Inside The Mental: From Psychiatric Survivor to LSD Researcher

by Kay Parley

Before she became a psychiatric nurse at "The Mental" in the 1950s, Kay Parley was a patient there, as were the father she barely remembered and the grandfather she'd never met. Part memoir, part history, and beautifully written, Inside The Mental offers an episodic journey into the stigma, horror, and redemption that she found within the institution's walls.

Now in her nineties, Parley looks back at the emerging use of group therapy, the advent of patients' rights, evolving ethics in psychiatry, and the amazing cast of characters she met there.

She also reveals her role in groundbreaking experiments with LSD, pioneered by the world's leading researchers at "The Mental" to treat addiction and mental illness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Canada

179 pages, Hardcover

First published April 15, 2016

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book . I have worked as a nurse in mental health for almost 32 years. It was so interesting to hear her perspective as a patient and then her perspective as a psychiatric nurse. She had words of wisdom about the care of those living with mental illness that still apply today. The author is now in her 90s. I would encourage those who work in psychiatry to read this book.

[Tracee · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, why is the book so small? The font is tiny and there’s something odd about the printing press. Throughout the book the letters are squished together and then widen apart so I think there was something wrong with the press at the time of printing.

Other than that distraction, I wonder if the author ever crossed paths with my aunt who was a psychiatric nurse in the 70s and 80s before she quit because she just couldn’t take it any more. The author seemed to have a much better experience with the place and spoke more fondly of it than my aunt did.

This book was the first time I heard there was a rotunda, it was sadly long gone before I ever laid eyes on the building. When I picked up the book I was expecting to hear some of the “crazy” stories we’d heard growing up in the area but she never brought any of them to light. That didn’t seem to be her intention with this book, you can tell she really wanted to focus on the positives.

Not only did I not know Weyburn was know for its experimentation of LSD usage on patients, I was surprised to read about the open LSD experimentation on the nurses themselves.

“I think a temporary psychosis would do a lot of people a lot of good. They might come out of it with more insight into the real madness around us…..”

“I think a mental hospital is a school not a battleground. We are not fighting a disease, we are trying to overcome ignorance and fear.”

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Extremely well written. The words flow beautifully, like Kay Parley herself is sitting across from you, telling you this in conversation.

Insightful and incredibly informative, Kay describes her real life experiences around first being a patient at the Weyburn Mental Hospital, to becoming a registered psychiatric nurse who worked there. What a life she has lived!

To me, she seems like a close second to an angel. Not only is she highly intelligent, she is filled with humility, compassion, and empathy for the mentally ill, and she proves to conquer life's hurdles with modesty and grace. She is truly one of the strong ones.

[Kim O. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a companion read along with Rabbit Foot Bill, the setting of which is mostly the Weyburn Mental Hospital. Kay Parlay writes her memoire of this hospital both as a patient and later a psychiatric nurse in the same facility. She gives such insight that enhanced Humphrey’s historical story of Rabbit Foot Bill. Parlay is also accomplished in poetry, journalism and drama. Oh how I enjoy novels and memoirs by writers from those fields! They certainly know how to succinctly and with core feeling share their stories. I do highly recommend that you read these two - and in sequence.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A radical look at mental health treatment in the 1960s. Inside the Mental questions an assumption that medical treatment always represents progress. While reading this book, I found myself constantly wondering if today’s mental health treatment is better or worse than it was 60 years ago. It’s sad to realize I can’t answer that question. Parley’s book challenges us to not assume we’re on an improved track and to look at other possibilities.

[Mitch Bonaccorso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside the Mental by Kay Parley provides an important insight into the history of mentally ill human beings in the 20th century in Saskatchewan, Canada. Parley reminds the reader of the importance of developing political legislation from scientific investigation as opposed to what appears in magazines and on television.

[Jenilee Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not well-written, but I’m writing a book that it was wonderful research for. Gives insight into what it feels like to live with schizophrenia and talks at length about the use of LSD as therapy in a hospital setting in the 40s and 50s, which is very interesting.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was some incredibly interesting information in the book but it lacked flow - I felt like it was all over the place and could have used a logical editor to order it so it made more sense.

[Patrick Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting recollections, but reads like what it is — a scattering is stories stitched together with minimal narrative thread. But some fascinating insight Parley’s unique experiences.

[Beth Oehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very close geographically and professionally for me. I found this well written and important.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 - a fascinating and unique perspective on a topic not many people know well, but I found it a little too scattered when reading to really have a good understanding.

[David Schleede · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was fine. Not really what I expected.

[Aggie Herda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good book by a local author covering her period of treatment at the Weyburn Mental Hospital and later her training there to become a psychiatric nurse in the same institution. She was there in the 1960's when the controversial use of LSD to treat patients was being conducted. She was administered her LSD by Francis Huxley, brother of the famous Aldous Huxley. The book is interesting on many levels--the treatment of mental illness in the 50's and 60's, the role of institutional care vs non-institutional care, coping with illness and some of the experimental treatments.

[Kari Olfert · Rating 5 out of 5]

'mental' and 'lsd', were the only 2 words I needed to see on the cover before I knew that this was my next book. I was surprised to find out that this book was written by a Saskatchewan author (yay!) who was an 'lsd sitter' in our very own sask psych, when lsd was considered a form of treatment.

I expected The Mental to be more of an autobiography of a stint in a mental facility. Its more of an effective treatment gone right and reads like a Saskatchewan book. Gentle campfire read.

[nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up.

picked up this book at the library because it's about mental illness issues in saskatchewan, written by a saskatchewan author. definitely caught my eye; it's close to home. a thought-provoking little book, for sure. there were a lot of times, however, that i wished she had gone a little deeper.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an interesting perspective on the history of Canadian mental health care. It started off a bit slow for me. I became more interested as she began to talk about her time as a nurse at Weyburn, especially acting as a "LSD sitter" on staff.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book although a little dry at times. They introduction of LSD to the field of psychiatry is fascinating.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heard the author interviewed on CBC. She was in the mental hospital in Weyburn and then became and psych nurse there, involved with the LSD trials that were taking place before they were shut down.

[Louisa Tomasiewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was simple to read but the stories were captivating. I found myself experiencing the emotions I imagine she felt inside the hospital in all situations and the conflicting love, hatred, and confusion of the hospital itself. I hightly suggest reading this book if you are interested in history, as the discussion and education about the Weyburn Psychiatric Hospital was fascinating. The history of psychiatric treatment, mental health stigma, and general atmosphere of care centres was clearly described and sobering to someone who's experienced quite supportive mental health care.