Seeking Asylum

Jessica Whitehead's lens is special. Not just the one on her camera, but also the one that gives her the ability to understand this country's complex issues surrounding the mental healthcare system.

I first met Jessica in May of 2024 in my role as a newspaper reporter. She was promoting the opening of her Central State Hospital museum exhibit. Her reputation as the "Asylum Lady" preceded her. I knew of her photography project covering what was once the world's largest mental health institution. In our interview, I quickly came to realize her knowledge of the former hospital campus rivaled that of some of the most-informed people on the subject. And the photography? It was incredible as well, though I'll admit to not fully understanding the intent when I first saw her work. On the surface it was a glimpse into a macabre piece of state and local history. Initially all her photos did was whet a curious reporter's appetite and create a little jealousy. How did she get into these monolithic buildings that now stand as empty memorials to mental healthcare in Georgia?

Jessica and I bonded over things asylum-related and kept one another in the loop on all activity around Central State, as there are ongoing redevelopment efforts to find new uses for the properties.