PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
I’ve been at the conditioning center a decade; not a bad patient; just not a real good one.
Today Snowy, who’s been here longer than me, cracks, “Fake it ’til you make it, eh, Green?”
Snowy decorates the floor with her blood.
Confined in Reflection (i.e.solitary,) they assign Dr. Dorsett, my first individual therapist. After two weeks of assessment, Dr. Dorsett recommends the individual treatment continue.
Over the years, she delicately steps me through barricaded, long-abandoned corridors.
On January 25th, I remember killing you. It brings no satisfaction; only sorrow.
At home, late at night, Dr. Dorsett, polishes her wings.
[100 words]
This story is a part two of last week’s story. It is also a tribute story to my therapist, mentor, and friend of many years, “Dr. Dorsett” (name changed to protect her family’s privacy.) Dr. Dorsett passed away in 2020, lost to Covid. One of her favorite sayings was that humans that helped others were, “Jesus with skin.” Here I have made her an angel, which she was and which she is.
Finally, this story is meant to illuminate the woeful lack of adequate and effective mental health treatment for those who are incarcerated. The reality is that so many who are locked up suffer from debilitating mental health issues and wouldn’t be there if there were well-designed and adequately funded outpatient mental health treatment available.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the scribe-mistress host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
My short story about a “firestarter” in “That Which Burns” is a lot like this. It’s included in this anthology. https://www.amazon.com/Winter-Wonder-Superhuman-Shane-Porteous-ebook/dp/B09M82XVV3/
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Thanks for the info.
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Wait, I thought these came out on Friday?
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Liam, the prompt is posted usually around 2am EST Weds and that’s when people begin to write and link up in Mr. Linky. By Friday it is in full swing. Better get to writing!
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I think I’m still going to post mine on Friday.
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You technically have until Mr. Linky closes on Tuesday to post, so Friday will definitely be before the deadline.
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Chilling, and yet hopeful too
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Thanks, Neil.
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I was sorry to learn of the passing of your therapist. Your story does bring home a kind of madness surrounded with hope.
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James, thank you for your condolences and for sharing what you see here.
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scary, this one is.
As is the reality, in all too many of these.
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Thanks much, Na’ama.
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That is great Li!
And so true, we need more mental health outpatient treatment centres!
I am so glad you knew Dr. Dorsett! xo
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Thanks so much, Carol Anne.
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I am lost for words tonight… but your posted story has got me thinking. And I agree mental health services are very inadequate. How I wish that I had done more.
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Michael, I’m glad the story got you thinking. I’m sure you did the best you could, as many mental health workers do. It is the system that is broken. Thank you for your comment.
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Mental health is a huge issue everywhere. Not enough trained therapists to start with, and definitely not enough good ones. No funding for treatment, or humane places to house those who need it. You were lucky to have a good therapist–most even mediocre ones around here have no openings. And so sorry Covid shortened her life. (K)
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Kerfe, I believe I was led to her. It is the world’s loss she is gone. Why does death have to take the angels?
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It makes no sense at all.
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Mental health is an issue everywhere. We’re finally getting to a point where it’s not as stigmatized, which is a baby step in the right direction.
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You’re right, well-said.
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I’m sorry your therapist passed. Healthcare in prisons is a pretty depressive subject. I can only imagine how bad it must be for chronic illnesses like mental conditions.
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Thank you, Christian. She was my therapist for a number of years and then she was my friend for a number of years. Her passing was a shock to my psyche that I’m still trying to get over. I’m sure her husband is lost without her, as are her children and grandchildren 😦 I’m guessing the inmates are “managed” with group therapy, medications, and punishment 😦
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We do an awful job of dealing with mental health issues in our society, inside and outside of prison. Glad there are some angels out there to help. I’m sorry about the real “Dr. Dorsett”.
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Yes, we do, Trent. Even if you have insurance coverage they usually only will pay for so many sessions. Oh, have a debilitating mental illness? Six sessions should cure you. Not cured? Oh, take these pills (and get really effed up!) I’ve seen it too many times. Thank you for the condolences.
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Mental illnesses is such a big field. Neither the diagnosis nor the treatment is 100% accurate. You’re so right that with proper treatment, many people can live normal/ useful lives.
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Absolutely, Sadje. Diagnoses are reassessed every so often and are fluid. Who is doing the assessment makes a big difference as well. What’s bad is if you get an inaccurate assessment but it goes into the “permanent record” and takes on a life of its own. When I worked with the juveniles, there were “pet” diagnoses that would become popular at certain times, with the usual recommendation of medications. I think alternative therapies that can be very effective can’t stand up to the big pharma machine and the “standard treatments.” Our system is royally messed up. You are right, with proper treatment, including adequate support services as needed, many can live safely and productively in the mainstream. Thank you for your comment, Sadje.
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It’s heartbreaking that money comes first before people and their health in a country where there is so much advancement and so many resources available.
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A few more angels are needed. Well written.
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Iain thank you very much.
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That’s a touch violent for a seeming angel. Nicely done.
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The therapist is the angel who goes home at night after trying to save the souls of her patients. The patient who murdered someone may never see physical freedom again but may perhaps rest in peace at the end. Thanks for reading and your comment, Mason.
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Oh I see. Thanks.
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I thank you for the postscript, Lisa, It added depth to your already wonderful write. It is a sad state of affairs.
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Indeed. You’re welcome.
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🙂
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I like that she polished her wings. It really brought the story home for me.
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Dawn, glad you like that, thanks!
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Well done, Lisa.
Health care for the incarcerated is abysmal for physical and mental health. Worse, the very reason many people are there is mental ill-health.
The mental health treatment field has many problems, inside and out. One is that we know so little. It is misunderstood, underfunded, and often poorly staffed in every sense of that term.
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Thanks much, Bill. You’ve got a good grasp on the state of it.
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Well told. Thanks for the background.
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Thanks, Danny and my pleasure.
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Mental Health… does it not seem like we have more problems now than before? My theory…which I’m not a doctor nor to I play one on TV, is the new drugs. The drugs that causes so many side affects and suicidal thoughts and actions. I do agree with you though about the system being underfunded.
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Max, I love how you prefaced that. I watched a doc the other night about Xanax and how horrific it is for people who take it. It really messes a person’s mind up. One takeaway from it is that it was never intended to be used long-term but so many people get on it and cannot get off of it. Just like so many other drugs that we’ve read about or worse. Yes the physical side effects of just about any drug are horrible. It’s like you have to weigh which is worse if you want any relief. I think it is the drugs yes but I also think Covid and everything that rippled/ripples from it has pushed a lot of people to the edge. Universal health care would go a long way towards making mental health treatment available to all. That and taking away the stigma of asking for help when you need it. Sorry to go on so long about it. Thanks for listening.
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I agree…the whole isolation hurt so many people and it shows. Yea about the drugs…we all watch the commercials….could cause coughing, headaches, and oh yea…SUDDEN DEATH.
Mental Health has gone down hill…technology has played it’s part also…social media… When we went to school…there were no shootings or anything like that…at least not like today. Everything has collided now and it’s a damn mess.
Never apologize…I did the same thing.
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❤
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It isn’t that long since women were shut away for menopausal symptoms, or for being pregnant and unmarried.
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Liz, too true, and for lots of other reasons. Thank you for reading and your comment.
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such a great tribute. well done.
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Plaridel, thank you very much.
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Beautiful tribute ❤
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Thank you, AJ ❤
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It’s hard to know what to do with these people. We can only hope treatments get better and better. More investment would help.
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It’s complicated sure fits here. Thanks, T.
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When going through hell, keep going. At the end, one emerges stronger and better. For oneself and for the rest of humanity.
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Love your comment, Santosh ❤
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There’s really nothing I can add to all the comments above. I must say however that I found the story and your footnote quite moving and I’m happy that you chose to share it with us Lisa.
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Keith thank you very much for your kind and sensitive comment ❤
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Very sad story!
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Neel, yes it is, especially knowing if she could have gotten the help she needed BEFORE she murdered her partner it may have saved his life! Also, one less person rotting behind bars.
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Well done. How true that services for the incarcerated are lacking.
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Thank you, Athling.
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Very true. We fail our fellow human beings in so many ways. A beautiful tribute to the lovely Dr. Dorsett! 🙂
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Brenda, thank you very much.
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Dear Lisa,
During one of my hospitalizations, we had a fellow patient named Joe. We thought ‘death therapy’ would be a good way to remedy his problems. But, what about Bob? I digress. Your story is a chilling reminder of what used to pass for mental health care.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I’m sure there needs to be a special wing for Joes, but of course they throw them in with everyone else, to torment the rest. Thank you for your comment and your support in trying to help educate.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Loved this, msjadeli. I felt every bit of it. So sad about your therapist and the inadequate help for mental health patients. I’m glad you’re spreading awareness.
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Brit, thank you very much ❤
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Although it is a sad story, it is still a beautiful tribute.
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Thank you very much.
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A poignant piece for our times. A true angel.
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Thanks much, Laurie.
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