The Ban on Visitors Bringing in Food

The state-wide ban on visitors bringing in food remains in place.

While a statewide ban on visitors bringing food to psychiatric hospitals is often intended to manage safety, contraband, or nutritional guidelines, it can be detrimental to patient well-being and recovery.

For many patients, familiar foods from loved ones provide essential comfort, supporting emotional health and autonomy at a time when life may feel restricted and lonely. These foods can help maintain cultural and religious dietary practices often ignored by institutional menus, supporting a sense of identity. Removing the ability for families to share food also cuts off a vital channel for human connection, which is proven critical to healing.

Additionally, studies show that psychiatric inpatients often experience poor diet and unmet nutritional needs in the hospital, which can hinder their mental wellness and slow recovery. Outside food—even when safely screened—can increase dietary variety and enjoyment, promoting appetite and better nutrition. Hospital food is frequently criticized for falling short of recommended health standards, leaving patients susceptible to malnutrition or digestive discomfort.

In summary, banning visitors from bringing food may unintentionally worsen patient experience and outcomes, by denying comfort, variety, cultural connection, and improved nutrition—all of which are integral to holistic, humane psychiatric care.