Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness

Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness

From the Goodreads synopsis:

Former Washington Post reporter Pete Earley had written extensively about the criminal justice system. But it was only when his own son-in the throes of a manic episode-broke into a neighbor's house that he learned what happens to mentally ill people who break a law.

This is the Earley family's compelling story, a troubling look at bureaucratic apathy and the countless thousands who suffer confinement instead of care, brutal conditions instead of treatment, in the "revolving doors" between hospital and jail. With mass deinstitutionalization, large numbers of state mental patients are homeless or in jail-an experience little better than the horrors of a century ago. Earley takes us directly into that experience-and into that of a father and award-winning journalist trying to fight for a better way.

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My review:  I gave this book 4 solid stars out of 5 on Goodreads. A lot of books waver in between 3 and 4 stars, this book was spot on.  An illuminating look at the ramifications of  the deinstitutionalization of America's mental health system.  The definition , per a Wikipedia:  

Deinstitutionalisation (or deinstitutionalization) is the process of replacing long-stay psychiatric hospitals with less isolated community mental health services for those diagnosed with a mental disorder or developmental disability.

you can read the whole article here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deinstitutionalisation

The idea being to save money and bring more individualized care in a smaller setting like a mental health clinic. However the money earmarked for that purpose in state budgets often didn't make it there leaving patients without options and without proper help, resulting in there being no place to send them when larger mental hospitals were closed, causing them to be placed in jail/prison instead where doctors clash with the prison staff/guards etc. and the patient is caught in the middle and options are few.

You also could palpably feel the concern of the author for his son, and the reason for his search through America's faulty mental health system  in an effort to get him some help, and his frustrations at not being able to find it.

A gripping read that I finished in about 2-3 days.  Would highly recommend.  Sheds light on the inside workings and the deplorable state of mental health treatment options in this country. The patient is already suffering and few options compounds that suffering. Imagine having a heart attack or stroke and ending up in jail, instead of a hospital getting care for your illness.  The author chose Miami where the percentage of mentally ill in this position are one of the highest percentages in the country, but the information in this book can be applied to any state in America. A heartbreaking read in many places, sheds much needed light on the need to change the mental health system.  One very interesting part that bears mentioning is the need for police departments to have training specifically for dealing with the mentally ill.  There have been some Departments that have implemented such training and the result was improved understanding and less shooting deaths from police that misinterpreted the actions of someone that was mentally ill, didn't know how to properly address the situation and the patient was shot and killed. 

Sobering look at the way things are in the mental health field and how they need to be changed for the better. If you have family and friends that have mental health problems or simply are interested in the subject , I would definitely recommend this book. 

The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead

 

From the Goodreads synopsis:

 

“Relish the day. If you’re not in awe, you’re just not paying attention.”

She hadn’t even been in the crowded pound a week, but she’d already developed a nickname, “Knucklehead.” As a puppy she destroyed property and precious clothes; as an adult she injured her owner, ruined romances… and changed the world-views of those around her.

Have you ever watched an animal and wondered how it thinks, how it sees the world, how it views you? And have you ever wondered what wisdom you might learn if you could see things as that animal does?

This unique book is many things: an amusing and moving memoir about a memorable dog, a poetic ode to a human-animal connection, and a serious philosophical, psychological, and spiritual inquiry into the lessons a man gleaned from the simple-minded brilliance of a teacher, a lover, a liver of life to the fullest… a Knucklehead.

There has never before been a book like "The Teachings of Shirelle." Take a walk with this pooch, and you might never look at life, love, or yourself the same again.

 

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My review:  I received this as an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) from Netgalley in return for an honest review. 

 

To be frank, this book took a little bit of effort to get into, I had to stop and go some, leave it then go back to it, it didn't suck me into it like some have, but it was more engaging as it went on, like a movie that start slow then you gradually get into it as it gets more interesting. A bit flowery sometimes, the author definitely wears his heart on his sleeve as it were, but then later on, you start rooting for Shirelle in a way you wouldn't have expected, you begin to care and you identify with the writer, or at least anyone that has made an emotional connection with their pet at any time in their life. Then when it gets to the point where he is bringing Shirelle to his workplace and she is helping hurting people, I have a soft spot for those with mental and emotional problems  that are hurting and suffering, and Shirelle's ability to connect and help those in his office and ultimately help them heal some, made me take notice of this book more than any other part, and was the reward for staying with the book to this point. There was definitely a spiritual and a human connection at that point that put the rest of the book into perspective. I debated on 3 vs. 4 stars, I started the book at about 2.5 stars, then by the end I was trending higher. Not quite a 4, I reserve those for the very best ones, but unfortunately there isn't a 3.5, so I went with a 3.  I would recommend this book, wasn't connecting at first, but hit a home run at the end, and that made a lot of difference! I would also read more by this author if he so chooses to write any more. Kudos and job well done.