Oliphant 1

Haley Oliphant
Brenda McKenna
Writing 1010
16 November 2014
Number 273
My own suggestion for a systematically neglected issue: mental health. These issues
pose a greater risk to our well-being than, say, the Afghan Taliban or Al Qaeda terrorists, yet in
polite society there is still something of a code of silence around these topics
Nicholas Kristof
***
Diana walked down the hall, searching for the right room. So, this guy has a very
negative view toward mental health care, she thought. Lets see if I can show the world how
crazy his opinions are. She stopped in front of a door, glancing down at her sticky note. Number
273, just like he said. She took a deep breath. I dont care about his circumstances; this interview
is going to go well. She knocked tentatively on the door. No answer. She tried again more
firmlyall was silent.
Mr. Kelly? Its Diana Scott. We spoke on the phone yesterday? Im the newest reporter
from
The door swung open and Diana jumped. Standing in the doorway was a man in his late
30s, dressed in a simple t-shirt and jeans. He was slightly taller than Diana, but he slouched,
bringing them to the same height. The dark circles under his eyes and 5 oclock shadow were a
stark contrast to his bright smile.

Oliphant 2
So sorry, I was just swallowing somevitamins before you came in, Mr. Kelly said.
He looked her over. My, my, you certainly know how to make a guy feel under-dressed. His
eye twitched slightly as he smiled.
Diana shoved the note into her jacket pocket and tucked her blonde hair behind her ear.
Thanks, she replied, I hope my suit doesnt make you uncomfortable.
Not at all, I just feel terrible that I didnt dress up. Had I known to look more formal I
would have at least shaved, he said, walking toward a brown recliner.
Scanning her surroundings, Diana chose the couch opposite Mr. Kelly and watched
curiously as he carefully sat down in his recliner. She glanced at a photo on the coffee table.
Thats my daughter. Isnt she beautiful? Mr. Kelly beamed.
Oh, does she model? she asked, tentatively.
No, she isshes moved on to a better place. He bowed his head.
Oh my God Im so sorry for yourloss, Mr. Kelly.
He sighed. Its no trouble. Thats life, right? he cleared his throat. Alright Ms. Scott,
fire away.
Okayum lets start with your name, she said, fumbling through her bag for a pen and
pad. I want to make sure we spell it right in the paper. What I have written down is D-E-R-E-K,
K-E-L-L-Y?
Youve got it. Derek Kelly, in the flesh. He began to tap his finger on the arm of the
recliner.
Diana laughed nervously. This guy can handle himself much better than I expected.
Maybe this wont be so helpful after all. So, I assume you know why Im here? I mean, what
Im writing about?

Oliphant 3
He abruptly stopped tapping. Ah yes, your little article thats supposed to rally the
nation to take mental health more seriously. He snorted. Now, Im no journalist, but that seems
like a big undertaking for a rookie.
Wow, attitude much? Where did Mr. Gentleman go? Diana gritted her teeth. Yes, but if
someone doesnt speak up, no one will. She took a breath. Lets stay on the topic. In your blog,
you often talk about the view you have of the psychiatric industry
You mean the soulless corporations that can hardly support their own theories? The
psychiatric industry is nothing more than a ruse to make money, he smirked.
Then how do you explain the one-quarter of American adults who suffer from a
diagnosable mental disorder? she shot back.
Diagnosable? He smiled. Ms. Scott, would you kindly tell me what the official
psychiatric definition of autism is?
Diana paused. Excuse me?
No? Alright then. Autism is a complex disorder that affects the brain's normal
development of social and communication skills. Common features of autism include impaired
social interactions, impaired verbal and nonverbal communication, problems processing
information from the senses, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, he said. What
does this tell us?
Diana closed her eyes. Just hold your tongue, Diana. You need this.
Youre not a very good student, he said. What we can glean from this definition is
that it is nothing more than a bunch of behaviors mashed together to create something that can be
applied to many individuals. Now, Ms. Scott, is this science? Did we use the scientific method,
any data analysis, or tests to prove this?

Oliphant 4
I suppose not, but
So you see? The psychiatric industry is a greedy sham that wants nothing more than to
give out fake definitions of mental disorders that they cannot prove exist so they can sell their
drugs and therapy as cures.
After his final word, Mr. Kelly sat back in his recliner with satisfaction.
Does he seriously think that mental disorders dont exist? He is worse than the general
public. What makes you feel this way, Mr. Kelly? she asked calmly.
Pardon? he asked, and began tapping again.
Here we go. Youve gone on and on about how psychiatrists have no evidence to
support their claims, so wheres yours? You didnt just wake up one day and hate psychiatry, did
you? she said. So, Mr. Kelly, what makes you feel so strongly about the psychiatric industry?
He shifted his gaze to the ground; his tapping grew more rapid. I-I dont need to disclose
that information to you.
Alright then, what is your view on mental health patients in general? Do you think
theyre a danger to themselves or others? Or both?
His hands gripped the arms of the recliner tightly. I said, I dont need to disclose any
more information
Or maybe how every year 38,000 Americans commit suicide and 90 percent suffer
from
SHUT UP!
Diana stopped. Mr. Kelly was breathing heavily, an intense look of pain on his face. A
wave of guilt washed over her. Im just as bad as the rest of the reporters. Here I am, trying to
set him off. Im so sorry, she said, gathering her things. Thank you for your time, Mr. Kelly,

Oliphant 5
Ill show myself out. She stood up quickly and headed for the door. Ill just have to find some
other way to show people how serious
My daughter.
She stopped.
It was my daughtershe, she is the reason I know that psychiatry is a sham, he said
quietly.
She turned to face him. He sat with his hands in his lap, looking at the floor. But she
You say that 38,000 Americans commit suicide every year? Well, you can put Trish in
that count. he said bitterly.
Diana spoke softly. Mr. Kelly, in your file
He continued, lost in a memory. I went to go get some Rocky Road, to cheer her up, you
know? Ice cream always fixes a bad day his lip began to tremble.
Oh, please dont do this. Please.
He squeezed his eyes shut. I came back and called up to her room. Then I heard the shot.
I ran up those stairs as fast as I had ever run. And when I opened the doorIshe was
He is totally convinced that shesreal.
His head whipped up to look at her, as if he heard her thoughts. Youre just like all of
them. You think you can lock me up here, feed me pills and lies and expect things to be better?
he spat.
Diana tensed. I-Im sorry, I didnt mean to
They said she was depressed. Suffered from anxiety too. They popped some pills in her,
sent her to some hippie shrink and said shed be cured. He stood, shaking his head.

Oliphant 6
Stay calm, Diana. She backed up to the door and felt for the doorknob. It was locked.
Why the hell did they lock me in here without orderlies?!
And then do you know what happened, Ms. Scott? She shot herself. Is that what you call
fixing it? He stalked towards her slowly.
Diana spoke before she could stop herself. But she isnt real, Mr. Scott. She is in your
head. And just because they couldnt help her doesnt mean they cant help you
Shut up! he snarled. You just shut your mouth! You have no idea what youre talking
about! He grabbed her hands, pinning her against the wall. You have no idea what its like to
relive your daughters suicide every time you shut your eyes!
Now youve done it, Diana! Orderly! Orderly! Please, someone help! she cried,
struggling against his grip.
There is no one to help me or Trish, or anyone else, Ms. Scott! He slammed her head
against the wall. You think I dont know why Im in here? Were all just going to pretend that
we can fix everything we come across but we cant! Im not crazy Ms. Scottshes real, as real
as you and me! he bellowed.
Two men in white scrubs burst through the door. They pried Mr. Kelly off of her and
restrained him as he struggled against them violently.
Dont you see, Diana? They all want to get us! They want to make money off of our
tragedies and feed us pills to keep us quiet!!! One of the orderlies held up a syringe. Dereks
eyes widened in fear.
Oh God, no! Please, be gentlehe didnt mean to hurt mehes sick! she pleaded.
He fought back harder. Get off of me! Who the hell do you think you are?! Get off!
GET OFF!!!

Oliphant 7
The orderly plunged the syringe into Derek Kellys arm. He screamed. His eyes rolled,
and he fell limp.
Diana gasped, and ran out of the room. Two more orderlies rush into the room and shut
the door. She paused outside the door, trying to compose herself. Oh my God She squeezed her
eyes shut and felt a dull ache in her head. Still trembling slightly, she took the sticky note out of
her pocket and read her delicate writing.

Derek Kellyage 37. Schizophrenic. May prove to be a useful example of the need for improvement in
mental health care. Room Number 273, Behavioral Health.
She sniffed, and dried her eyes with her jacket sleeve. She pulled the recording device out
of her pocket and pushed stop. Im sorry Mr. Kelly, but you and I both know that this is going
to help you and many others find better care. Straightening her jacket, she walked down the hall,
handed her visitors pass to the clerk, and began her long walk home.