- Category: Crisis Response, Jail Instead of Hospital
- Tag(s): Anosognosia / Lack of Insight, Homelessness, Incarceration, Severe Deterioration
Picture it the year is 2023, it’s HOT & getting hotter here in the south…loved one who is acting bizarre has thrown ALL (a whole apartments worth) of their stuff away (including their car)! They’re now homeless, wandering, PARALYZING PARANOIA has them acting unbelievably illogical. 1,2, 3 times I ask for an assessment….for ANY KIND of help….only to be told no. FINALLY…the 4th attempt got someone’s attention and helped me get my loved one a mental evaluation. But the loved one was arrested 5 (FIVE) times while I was trying to get them help. Arrested five times because the loved one would not give their name. It’s called obstructing justice. Now we have court cases and such to deal with too.
THIS IS NOT CONDUCIVE to getting the help they so desperately need. Even though they don’t think they are sick.
WE. NEED. HELP!
*Each story is shared by someone impacted by untreated SMI, lightly edited for clarity, never for meaning.
THE ASK
The author’s message for legislators:
We need change!!
We. Need. Help!!!
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