TandC Associates, LLC

The previous three lessons in this series identified the facts that individuals with severe mental illnesses are first and foremost people, who have normal needs and can benefit from prepared-for actions as much as any other group.  The next examples offered in this series will identify some strong positive characteristics associated with these men and women.

Lesson #4 – People with Mental Illnesses are Compassionate

I was first impressed with this lesson when I was working as an attendant at Westborough (MA) State Hospital in 1957.  John and five other patients on one ward all claimed to be either Jesus Christ or at least the Son of God.  Each thought the other four were “sadly delusional,” but they also were respectful, caring friends.  From them I learned that most patients treat their fellow patients with an unconditional sensitivity, even though others such as their providers and caregivers  might think they should be in competition with each other.

While there are many other examples of compassion could be cited, the following should serve as a significantly clear demonstration. Norman arrived at Fountain House after a long period of hospitalization followed by homelessness.  Among other experiences, Norman survived a couple of years living off the land in New York City’s Central Park. He was discovered by a Fountain House reach-out team and describes his arrival at the clubhouse as “being washed up on the shore of life after a long period of being marooned on the sea of despair.”   A college graduate, he soon completed a couple of part-time job placements and secured a full-time independent job with an international bank, where to my knowledge he is still employed, even after having survived the destruction of the bank site at the World Trade Center.

Norman has demonstrated his compassion in two very different ways. On a personal level there was his relationship with his apartment mate, Henry.  They had been in a Fountain House supported apartment for a few years, when Henry was diagnosed with advanced cancer.  Instead of moving Henry into the medical model of care, Norman insisted on keeping his roommate in their apartment, under his caring eye until the very end of Henry’s life, providing the comfort and friendship so greatly appreciated by Henry.

Norman’s second area of demonstrated compassion was toward the needs of Fountain House, where, although employed full-time, he has given considerable personal time to researching and summarizing the ways in which the agency could generate its own energy through wind control and other means generated at the High Point Farm area.

The last example of such compassion focuses on some 70 Fountain House members who joined over 5,000 New Yorkers in the city’s Annual Walk to support mental health and fight the stigma people affected by mental illness and their families face every day.  Proceeds fund NAMI’s free support and education programs for families and individuals living with mental illness.  Joe’s comment sums up the meaning of compassion:  “My favorite thing was seeing the Fountain House community represented as one.”

This series is part of a larger work in progress, pending publication.  Any quotations or references must be with the author’s permission.  As always, we welcome all comments and feedback at the URL below, or our e-address:    

                                       tandcassociates@gmail.com