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Poor Diets Given to Mental Health Consumers Revisited

My wife when younger was underestimated. She graduated from a very good college before the onset of her condition, yet when she became bipolar, she was subjected to treatment as "a dumb mentally ill person". For example, her worker at California Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, Linda, sent her to a training to become a motel maid. This was inappropriate. She is a highly intelligent and thoughtful person and my marriage to her is one of the primary reasons that I've done well.

People with psych conditions are routinely grossly underestimated. This is a disservice. Being mentally ill doesn't make you dumb or worthless. And it does not mean that you do not deserve good health and a long, meaningful life.

Those who oversee non-independent mentally ill people have misconceptions concerning food that should be given. I know of an organization that is generous enough to often deliver a free meal, and I've eaten some of them. The error is assuming we prefer high fat, high carb, over seasoned food along with sweets. This is not a healthy diet, and it is unpalatable. Some good pork was ruined by smothering it in a massive amount of seasoned salt. I re-grilled some of it along with some water, and repeatedly drained off the salty, artificially- or paprika colored water. The meat was salvaged to the extent that I could make an acceptable sandwich out of it. My preference is San Luis Sourdough. It is not whole wheat. Yet most of the whole wheat grocery stores sell is doctored up with excessive sugar and other unnecessary ingredients. 

From the same mental health organization (I don't want to name them--overall they are excellent in other ways) there was some "Capri Sun" which I drank, and it tasted no different than sugar water. 

Don't get me wrong; I'll eat all manner of things that are extremely far from purist. (In fact, I'm glad to eat most anything even remotely edible.) Yet, if you're going to the trouble of preparing a supposedly good meal, why ruin it with the assumption that mentally ill people are unaware of what we eat? 

The poor diets that mentally ill people are fed contribute to hardening of the arteries, excessive weight, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and other health problems. We deserve better. I've seen this happen in widespread manner where mentally ill people receive care. 

:Coronavirus Vaccine Caution

[Addendum: since the time I first wrote most of this, there has been a pause of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Any drug introduces unknowns until it has been administered for many years to millions of humans. Ordinarily I refuse most medications that have not been around at least ten years. However, the Pandemic is serious to the extent that it is more important by far to accept the vaccine so that we can get herd immunity.] 

Coronavirus immunization is necessary, and it is unsafe not to do it. However, upon my second shot of the Pfizer vaccine, I've noted physical, cognitive, and emotional side effects. I assume they will resolve by the time these words meet your eyes. When I was in the hospital observation area for my fifteen minutes of afterward observation, a hospital employee asked me if I was okay. Maybe she sensed something was off. The vaccine has left me with short duration depression and problems with faculties. My wife advised me to refrain from any important decisions for now. (It is always nice when you have a wife or another person in your life who can often help.) 

If you have concerns about how the vaccine could affect you in the short term, it could be wise to arrange for a ride to and from, and to plan for fewer activities for the ensuing three days. 

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Jack Bragen is author of "Jack Bragen's 2021 Fiction Collection" It is widely available through Amazon and other online book sales venues.