 What does the theme of the story reveal about how society treats the mentally ill?
Charity Case By JIM HARMON Illustrated by [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction December 1959. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] Certainly I see things that aren't there and don't say what my voice says—but how can I prove that I don't have my health? When he began his talk with "You got your health, don't you?" Why couldn't what he said have been "The best things in life are free, buddy" or "Every dog has his day, fellow" or "If at first you don't succeed, man"? Not if you believe me. For punishment, he locked me in a windowless room and told me to sit still until he came back. It wasn't so bad a punishment, except that when Dad closed the door, the light turned off and I was left there in the dark. Being four or five, I didn't know any better, so I thought Dad made it dark to add to my punishment. Because they were real, I talked about them as if they were real, and I almost earned a bunk in the home for retarded children until I got smart enough to keep the beasts to myself. The trouble came from the notes written in my awkward hand that she found, calling her names I didn't understand. My mother and father must have been glad when I was sent away to reform school after my thirteenth birthday party, the one If you believe any of this at all, you'll see why it couldn't be me who did the stealing. When I was expelled from reform school, I left with just one idea in mind—to get all the money I could ever use for the things I needed and the things I wanted. "Brothers, this being Thanksgiving, I pray the good Lord that we all are truly thankful for all that we have received. Some skin-and-bones character I didn't know struggled out of his seat, amening. As soon as I got cleaned up, I was going to have dinner in a good restaurant, and I was going to order such expensive food and leave such a large tip for the waiter and send one to the chef that they were going to think I was rich, and some executive with some brokerage firm would see me and say to himself, "Hmm, executive material.
 There is insufficient social infrastructure to identify and care for those living with severe mental illnesses
 There is insufficient social infrastructure to identify and care for those living with severe mental illnesses  The Christian church has too much unqualified involvement in treatment of those living with severe mental illnesses  Those living with severe mental illnesses are more likely to be abused by social institutions like schools, hospitals, and law enforcement  More studies need to be conducted to learn how to best care for people living with severe mental illnesses