Michael Holtby and his wife, Judy, with doctors and nurses at the Yunnan Department of Mental Health

Michael Holtby, MSW '72: Dispatch from Kunming, China

October, 2009
We’re being treated like royalty here: They put us up at the best hotel, fed us, entertained us, fresh flowers on the podium, banner at the entrance to the hospital, and gifts upon our departure. We interviewed patients and staff, got a tour of the 800 bed psychiatric and alcohol recovery hospital, and did a daylong presentation. Unfortunately, they can’t see how they could possibly have time to do therapy groups. Patients spend their days watching TV, and playing mahjong, with a two- to four-month average length of stay. Although they are quite concerned about the stigmatization of mental illness they inadvertently reinforce it: all the patients wear striped pajamas. More work to do: plans to go back. Anyone else want to come along? More information on my website: www.DenverPsychotherapy.com; or my blog: http://mikesbio.blogspot.com.