Part 5/12:
Throughout their stay at Riverview, the speaker encountered a variety of individuals suffering from schizophrenia, manic depressive psychosis, and other severe mental illnesses. Some patients were guarded or even dangerous, guarded by staff from Colony Farm RT units or during social events like dances at Pennington Hall, where encounters with dangerous individuals—described as psychopathic killers—were unsettling and chilling.
These interactions left a lasting impression, as the speaker recalls people who could "freeze your soul," highlighting the profound impact these encounters had on their perception of mental health and human fragility.