Voluntary madness

After her acclaimed experience living as a man, journalist Norah Vincent found herself grappling with severe depression, leading her to voluntarily commit to a mental institution. This raw and overwhelming period sparked her next project: an immersive study of mental healthcare from the inside. Vincent navigates various facilities, from urban hospitals to upscale retreats, examining the impact of institutionalization, the role of medication, and the dynamics between patients and caregivers. Her account offers a candid look at her personal battle with depression and the often-bizarre environments of mental health treatment in America.