Rx for Joy - Joanne Shortell

Joanne Shortell took me up on my call for guest bloggers.  I am glad she did, as I learned of a blogger and mental health advocate I'd like to introduce to you.  Joanne has three websites.  Strongly Bipolar is a blog similar to Prozac Monologues.  Maevetour.blogspot.com/ is the source of the following piece.  And Servicepoodle.com gives more information about the issue it discusses.  

Rx for Joy Can Be Written by any Therapist in the U.S.


My current therapist is a nurse practitioner who can prescribe psychiatric drugs.  My previous therapist was an MSW who could not.  Both, however, could write a prescription for an emotional support animal (ESA).  A short, simple letter (see sample below) from a doctor (any medical doctor, not just a psychiatrist) or any therapist will allow a person with a psychiatric disability or a chronic pain condition to have pets in no-pets housing, to avoid any pet deposit or pet fee, and to avoid size limitations or species restrictions.  The person with the disability gives this to their landlord or co-op/condo board as a request for a reasonable accommodation.  (See link: How to Get an Emotional Support Animal.

Why should I prescribe ESAs?

Thomas Insel - Toward a New Understanding of Mental Illness




Cutting this guy's budget is like telling Orville and Wilbur Wright to take the month off.

Jill Bolte Taylor's Stroke of Insight



Dr. Bolte Taylor's story is told in greater detail, both her stroke and her recovery in her book.  You can link to it in the column to the left under Fabulous Books.

Calling All Guest Bloggers

That little box of words is empty. Day after day, replacements do not arrive.  It is time for Prozac Monologues to go on sabbatical. I'm thinking -- two months might do it.

But I hate it!  I can't do it!  Help!

Calling all bloggers -- this space is vacant and available.

So here's the deal.  I am open to publishing your poem, blog piece, article, ruminations, if:

  • It is on topic (reflections and/or research on the mind, the brain, mental illness and/or society);
  • It is educational and/or entertaining;
  • It is not hateful nor wildly inaccurate;
  • It strikes my fancy.

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