Volume 1, Issue 4

[It is important to note that later Dorsey twisted this into throwing books as ‘flying missiles’ because I plopped down these 2 magazines down in front of this staffer. Also, this staffer like many others, was embellishing progress notes. Smacking mags in front of her to throwing them AT her. Typical lying techniques to build their case.]

That afternoon Claudia Smith, my clinical social worker pulled me aside so that we could talk. I liked her because she seemed to have a pleasant disposition. I was complaining of the useless milieu and frequent boredom. I wanted to share much more with her but I was savvy enough to know that talking to her was like talking to a parrot. She repeated everything with the stoke of a pen. She kept prodding and in

some ways it was irresistible not to confide in her as an ally. I spoke of my hopelessness to escape the all-consuming depression that I was in at that time. I said that if she had an ounce of compassion, she would hand off a razor so I could finish the job. She encouraged me to join the ward group activities as a therapeutic modality. I didn’t understand how she could possibly say that with a straight face! Groups on this unit consisted of watching a relaxation video tape of dolphins navigating in the ocean, or art groups – coloring in large printed objects, or current events – a staffer reading the obituaries, or medication compliance group, or ADL – Addressing Daily Living such as brushing my teeth, showering, etc. Absolutely nothing interesting or intellectually stimulating. Unit A was mandatory for

 the acutely demented patients, offered no substance for ‘real’ groups. So, when Claudia suggested that I should join the group activities, I was wondering how far removed she was from the reality of what this unit had to offer me in the way of recovery. I wanted to die, to escape.

Progress Note: The patient is verbalizing her feelings of psychic pain more but continues to focus on self-contained resources of relief as opposed to working through issues in a more appropriate way. (i.e. group participation and more self disclosure during one on one interventions.)

Todd Rash,
Former deputy
district attorney,

Law Offices of Todd Rash, Riverside, Ca

3900 Market Street
Suite 220
Riverside, CA 92501-3240
Phone: (909) 778-2500

I strongly believe that consumers must be present at the table with an ‘effective voice’ when polices and procedures are established that affects their livelihood. Today, there exists a one up / one down stance between the provider and consumer. This usually manifests as a barrier for voluntary treatment when the consumer dwells on past or current issues of abuse and/or neglect, which ultimately leads to non-compliance.

Worst, consumers and family members are often disillusioned when they try to represent change through local mental health boards and committees only to find out later their efforts are largely meaningless. For example, after consumer satisfaction surveys are completed and trended, the results are shelved or disposed with. Nothing for the most part changes, and corrective action is nothing but a pipedream.