“Dr. Beck, I know I used to hate coming to see you but now I’m really happy about it.”
This statement was made by a fifteen year old who has always resented having a serious mental health problem. It’s a good thing I was wearing a mask or he would have noticed that my mouth was open for a long time.
“I cannot believe you’re saying that. You are actually happy to be seeing a psychiatrist.”
“Are you laughing at me?” Big brown eyes narrow and glare at me suspiciously.
I cannot help it. I start to laugh.
“You are laughing at me.”
“I can’t help it,” I say, “You just get so suspicious. Why are you happy to see a psychiatrist?”
“When other black kids get picked up by the cops, they get taken to detention and it’s bad there. I get taken to the mental hospital and it ain’t so bad here.”
Oh.
I am learning more about privilege every day.
(This beautiful art is the creation of Akilah Johnson from Washington D.C. You can read more about the art and her here.
I can only say WOW to this blog and this 15 year old.
I agree Esther, but is this what we’ve come to? I hope you’re keeping well.