A rock-bottom aspect of the self in American culture is being able to give a reply concerning a vocation to the ubiquitous social query, “What do you do?”
In a psychiatric unit, one does nothing of one’s normal adult work. One’s only contribution there to the people (s)he loves is by giving the products made in art therapy…. (Of course, there can be the sizable contribution of learning from one’s past mistakes and thereby being kinder to one’s family and friends upon discharge....)
Furthermore, a day or even several hours spent doing nothing but being a passive onlooker at television or social media does not yield any sense of accomplishment.
Developing one or more skills, whether they involve creating (food, writing, artwork, handiwork, etc.) or learning (whether religious knowledge perhaps, or readiness for remunerative employment), results in higher valuation of you by others. And greater self-esteem.
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