A new friend

Mark Knuth was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1988. In 1999, his paranoia led to two counts of felonious assault. He lives in the Athens Behavioral Healthcare center and has never been on the Ohio University campus in Athens. He prefers to spend his time at The Gathering Place, a home that creates a sense of community for people in need.


Due to the snowy weather, Knuth wipes drops of water off of his face while talking to his sometime girlfriend, Audrey [last name withheld]. The two met at The Gathering Place and have tried to make it work, but often run into difficulties.


Knuth, his sometime girlfriend Audrey [last name withheld], and Marvin Campbell often relax on the porch at The
Gathering Place smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, and telling stories. Knuth likes going to the house because he feels
accepted and finds it a good place to make friends.




Knuth shows off his new tattoo that says Jah in church script. Some sects of Christianity view Jah as God’s real name. His other tattoo represents the two years that he spent in the United States Marine Corps before being honorably discharged and retired due to his condition. He lives on military retirement.


The Athens Behavioral Healthcare center doesn’t allow tobacco inside the building, under punishment of law. Knuth has numerous hiding places around town for his tobacco stash . He would lose his free time if he were caught with tobacco indoors.



Knuth gives Janet Boring a reassuring hug in the kitchen at The Gathering Place. Boring is upset with the local mental health services and how she is being treated.