Kirkbride Buildings - Historic Insane Asylums Forum

There's an author named Jennifer Semple Siegel who has written a book about being involuntarily committed to Cherokee State Hospital when she was younger. Here's her description:

"The memoir’s primary narrative thread covers the months between Christmas Eve 1968 through May 9, 1969: my psychedelic days in Hollywood, return to Sioux City, involuntary incarceration in Cherokee, and, finally, escape to Pennsylvania. The narrative also includes some flashbacks to Fall 1968 and from my childhood. In addition, there is a secondary 2004 thread contemplating my return to Cherokee–this time voluntarily and as a visitor."

You can read excerpts from the book and summaries of the key events on her blog:

I, Driven: Memoir of a Teen's Involuntary Commitment

She's currently looking for an agent to help her get the book published. If anyone knows one, send them her way. It looks like it could be an interesting story.