In the past, General Psychology students had the opportunity to visit the Hospitality House in Mt. Pleasant. The Hospitality House is not a halfway house, rather it is a one-of-a-kind residential treatment facility for those with severe menta

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Revised Instructions for Hospitality House replacement Reflection Paper

In the past, General Psychology students had the opportunity to visit the Hospitality House in Mt. Pleasant. The Hospitality House is not a halfway house, rather it is a one-of-a-kind residential treatment facility for those with severe mental illness. The Hospitality House visit was such an awesome educational experience because it allowed students to see firsthand 1) how a severe mental illness impacts the person, the family and friends, and the community, 2) how negative, inaccurate stereotypes prevent understanding and adequate treatment, and 3) the woefully limited number of facilities to treat mental illness in our community and nation.

This experiential learning activity ceased with the onset and ramifications of COVID-19. Therefore, a replacement refection assignment has been developed.  Students will watch two half hour videos and read a portion of Zeb Larson’s Origins article:  The first video is an Amazon Prime episode (#3) of Modern Love titled “Take me as I am, whoever I am”.  The second video is a BBC 2014 production from Films on Demand titled “Bedlam Behind Bars: Mental Health Problems in American Prisons”. The article is titled “America's Long-Suffering Mental Health System”.

Purpose of a Reflection paper

This Reflection paper is a personal paper which should explore your thoughts and feelings about the subject of mental illness. Reflection papers should have an academic tone yet be personal and subjective. In this paper you should analyze and reflect upon your existing views of mental illness and how viewing the two videos and reading the article may have shaped/altered your perceptions and thoughts on mental illness. Reflection can serve as a tool for learning from observation by placing yourself in the shoes of another person 

How to:

Prior to the class and prior to reading modules 11, 12, and 13, students should answer questions in Section A. Both videos will be watched in class prior to answering the questions in Section B and C. Students should read the entire Origins article before answering questions in Section D. 

Papers are to be typed, double spaced, and written in complete sentences.  Students may write in the first person (i.e. use “I”).  Students may find it useful to think of writing a letter about what was learned to their professor. Papers should be 3-4 pages long and include correct citations to and references for the three sources provided and any additional source used.

If students are unable to attend class, they will need to create a free Amazon Prime account using their NTCC email address in order to watch the video, Modern Love.  Watch all of episode #3.  This account is free for 6 months. Please see instructions for Join Prime Student in

Blackboard in the Reflection Paper folder.  A link to watch the second video and to read the article will also be found in Blackboard in the Reflection Paper folder.  Watch the entire BBC video.

Questions to address in your paper

This is not an essay, so you are not required to have an Introduction, Body, and, Conclusion. Rather, you are to thoroughly and thoughtfully answer the questions below in complete sentences. Be personal and explain in simple terms prior experiences or predispositions that shaped your views regarding mental illness. 

A. Answer these questions before watching the videos and reading the article: (30 points)

1.      Prior to this assignment had you given much thought to mental illness? Explain. Remember complete sentences.

2.      What do you imagine a mental disorder would be like? Why? Explain.

3.      Have you ever met someone with a mental disorder? Explain.

4.      Do you think you can tell immediately if someone has a mental disorder? Why? Explain.

5.      Do you think children can have mental disorders? Explain.

6.      What causes mental illness? Explain.

7.      Can people with mental illnesses lead normal productive lives?  Go to school, have a job, get married/divorced, have children? Explain.

8.      Should mental illnesses (e.g. PTSD, autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, etc.) be treated the same as medical illnesses (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, strep throat, etc.)? Why? Explain.

9.      Do you think that people with mental illnesses are more dangerous/violent than “normal people”? Why? Explain.

10.  Do you think there are barriers to health care access for the mentally ill? What type of barriers? 

 

B. Answer these questions after watching Modern Love (#3): (21 points)

1.      In the movie, when did you suspect Lexi was different? Why? 

2.      When did you know for certain that Lexi had a mental disorder? Explain. 

3.      What evidence was there that Lexi’s mental disorder made it difficult for her to function?

4.      Do you think Jeff or Lexi’s coworker thought she had a mental illness? Explain.

5.      Why might it be difficult to be Lexi’s friend? Explain.

6.      When Lexi’s mood changed from elated/expansive to depressed, did she have control of this change? Explain. 

7.      Did you like Lexi? Why?

 

C. After watching the BBC program, answer these questions: (16 points)

1.      In the segment at Cook County jail, what percentage of prisoners had a severe mental illness? Did this surprise you? Why?

2.      Did all the type of crimes committed warrant this level of punishment? Explain.

3.      Do you believe that prison is an effective place for the treatment of the mentally ill?

Explain.

4.      Is there long-term care for the mentally ill? Explain.

5.      What percentage of people who need mental health care get it? (1 point)

6.      Do you think prison has been an improvement to asylums/mental institutions? Explain.

 

D. Finally, after reading the Origins article, answer these questions: (11 points)

1.        Are the mentally ill responsible for most violent crimes? Explain. 

2.        If there are not long-term residential treatment programs for the mentally ill, name the two places where the mentally ill will be found. (1 point)

3.        Identify and name the three reasons that shaped mental health care in the United States. (1 point)

4.        What do you think about each of the three reasons as justifications for current mental health care? Explain.

5.        What do you think of eugenics as treatment or prevention for mental illness? Explain. 

 

E. Please feel free to share any additional thoughts or feelings. (12 points) 

1.   Do you believe you know more about mental illness than before this paper? Explain.

2.   Given the percentages of people with mental illness, do you believe people in the United States need to know more about mental illness? What do they need to know? Why?

3.   Do you believe there are barriers to the mentally ill leading normal, productive lives? Explain.

4.   Do you believe you need to fear the mentally ill more than “normal people”? Explain.

 

If you are interested, you may Google USA Today, “Cost of Not Caring” (Not Required). for additional information.

References (10 points)

Carney, J. & Cheney, T. (Writers), & Carney, J. (Director). (2019, October 18). Take me as I am, Whoever I am (Season 1, Episode 3) [TV series episode}. In J. Carney & T. Hofmann (Executive Producers), Modern Love. Storied Media; Amazon Studios.

Hill, M. (Director). (2014, July 7). Bedlam Behind Bars: Mental Health Problems in American Prisons (Season 62, Episode 26). In Panorama. BBC.

Larson, Z. (2018, April). America’s Long Suffering Mental Health System. Origins, 11(7).