My Least Favorite Place

My Least Favorite Place

Riverbend Center for Mental Health in Florence is an uncomfortable place for me. It looks like a building from a horror film. There is also a strong, disgusting, and old odor inside, and the ringing phones aren't loud enough. Riverbend's purpose in the community is to assist people with mental disabilities, but the whole feel, smell and look of the facility defeats the purpose it is supposed to serve. Furthermore, it is difficult to see Riverbend as a helpful resource because of the look, smell, and the low-volumed telephones.

The first thing that is always noticeable about the facility is its odd shape and colors on the outside of the building. The faded, cream colored, cone shaped columns in the front and left side of the building looks like they were made by aliens. I am not sure what the shape of the building is. It comes close to a twisted hexagon. The bricks are light brown and vomit yellow color. Since Riverbend is a place for the mentally ill, it doesn't look inviting. It looks depressing. It should be more of an upbeat, cheerful and modernized building for these 'special' people who visit here. In addition, as you walk inside it, it appears to be a reality Twilight Zone.

The sight of Riverbend and the smell inside are equally dreadful. I always get dizzy, but mostly nauseous when I walk through the front foyer. The smell hits you in the face like a baseball bat; it's that bad! The facility is clean and thoroughly sanitized, but the building is so old and outdated it is difficult to tell. I am not making fun of people that have to go there; I am an outpatient client also. I am so fortunate that I have access to a daily shower and proper hygiene. Many people who go there are weird and appear to be homeless. They smell bad because of the lack of bathing and keeping their clothes clean. I feel bad for them, but it makes me uncomfortable to be around some of them. It makes me sad that Riverbend is owned by the state of Alabama. The state neglected to provide the financial support and other resources to make it a better place for the treatment of the various forms of depression. Regardless of their unlimited or limited hygiene procedures, the facility could reach out to more people if it weren't for the state.

The sounds in the building are not disturbing. People do not talk loud and the phones are soft sounding. When I have heard the phones ringing, I often wonder if someone will hear it. It may be a person in need of services. Sometimes the phones are unanswered because of the lack of employees to manage the calls. They have a radio in the ceiling speakers that isn't loud either. It plays Oldies Rock n' Roll music, which is one of my favorite genres. I never have heard of any complaints about the music. Even though the sounds you might hear at Riverbend aren't negative, the place for the most part is.

The sight and smell of the building makes me more depressed. More people would voluntarily seek services if it weren't for these negatives. Maybe this is why the doctors seem to prescribe strong doses of medication to keep some sanity in their patients when they have an appointment.