The Criminalization of Mental Health Struggles: A Systemic Failure
The tragic story of Calvin, a young man with bipolar disorder, highlights a disturbing trend in how our society addresses severe mental illness. It's a tale of a system that fails to provide adequate support, often pushing individuals towards criminalization instead of treatment.
Calvin's mother, Jerri Clark, shared her heart-wrenching experience at a symposium on mental health and the criminal justice system. Her son's journey began with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, leading to psychotic episodes, homelessness, and eventually, multiple arrests. What's shocking is the advice she received: to let her son 'hit rock bottom' and wait until he entered the criminal system to receive help. This is a stark example of the broken safety net that families are forced to navigate when dealing with severe mental health issues.
Personally, I find it appalling that the criminal justice system has become the default solution for mental health crises. District Attorney Sim Gill's statement that 'the last place you want somebody with an acute mental illness is the criminal justice system' is a powerful indictment of our current approach. It raises a deeper question: why are we criminalizing mental illness?
One thing that immediately stands out is the lack of early intervention. Calvin's mother advocated for hospitalization, assisted outpatient treatment, and managed medication. These are essential tools that could have potentially changed her son's trajectory. Instead, the system's response was to wait until he became a criminal, a decision that ultimately led to his tragic death.
What many people don't realize is that this is not an isolated incident. Approximately one in four police shootings involves individuals with mental health issues, according to Gill. This statistic is a stark reminder of the consequences of our failure to provide adequate support. It's not that these individuals choose to commit crimes; it's that the system often leaves them with no other option.
The call for 'treatment before tragedy' by families affected by severe mental illness is a plea for humanity and compassion. Sherri Wittwer, head of the Utah Coalition for Severe Mental Illness, rightly points out that mental illness should be treated with urgency and collaboration. These individuals are not problems to be managed but people to be supported and valued.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the comparison between bipolar disorder and Alzheimer's or dementia. Clark suggests that individuals with bipolar disorder should be treated similarly, emphasizing the need for assistance and long-term care. This perspective challenges the common misconception that mental illnesses are simply lifestyle choices.
In my opinion, the criminal justice system's entanglement with mental health is a symptom of a larger societal issue. We need to shift our focus from punishment to prevention and support. This includes better access to case management, employment services, and permanent supportive housing, as Wittwer suggests. By investing in these resources, we can potentially reduce the number of individuals with mental illnesses entering the criminal justice system.
The symposium's message is clear: we must build a system that treats severe mental illness with the respect and urgency it deserves. It's time to move away from criminalization and towards a more compassionate and effective approach. This is not just about changing laws but also transforming societal attitudes and priorities.
The story of Calvin and his family is a powerful reminder that the consequences of our current system are real and devastating. It's a call to action for all of us to advocate for a more humane and responsive mental health support system.
