Send us a text Pete Early shares his journey from Washington Post journalist to mental health advocate after his son developed bipolar disorder, revealing how a broken system forces families into crisis before providing help. • Diagnosis came during his son Kevin's college years with warning signs like "food doesn't taste good" and confusion about reality • Psychiatrist delivered a devastating prognosis: "incurable disease" with lifetime medication, weight gain, likely unemployment • Kevin stopped taking medication after a few weeks, leading to psychosis and breaking into a stranger's house • Early couldn't get help until his son became "dangerous" enough for intervention • His son joined 365,000 Americans with serious mental illness who end up in jails and prisons annually • Crisis intervention training for police makes crucial difference in mental health encounters • Recovery came through proper medication, independent living with supportive roommates, and finding purpose as a peer counselor • Early discovered the difference between being a parent versus a partner in someone's recovery • Mental health system requires criminal behavior before providing adequate treatment • Despite Early's connections and resources, getting proper help took years of struggle If you know anyone who would like to share their story on Why Not Me? The World, visit TonyMantor.com/Contact. T ell everyone everywhere about our show and the inspiration our guests provide, reminding you that you are not alone in this world. https://tonymantor.com https://Facebook.com/tonymantor https://instagram.com/tonymantor https://twitter.com/tonymantor https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
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