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

In this chapter, Earley spells out his beliefs after both his experiences as Mike’s father and his year-long journalistic investigation in Miami. He advocates for more CIT training nationwide not only to provide a safer experience for people with mental illnesses but also to help change society’s attitude.

As Dr. Poitier points out to Earley, the mental healthcare system has moved backward. Prisons and jails are not safe for people with mental illnesses in need of intensive care. Places like the ninth floor of the Miami-Dade County Detention Center have become a form of hospital in the wake of deinstitutionalization. In lieu of this “revolving door” between hospitals and jails for those with chronic mental illnesses, Earley advocates for more community mental health centers, modern long-term facilities, and reformed commitment laws that favor intervention and treatment rather than jail time. He uses Passageway as an example of what a more successful and equitable system could look like.

Mike, now working full-time, invites his father out to lunch. He tells Earley he’d like to eventually go to graduate school, and Earley reflects on how fortunate he and Mike have been. After his time in Miami, Earley knows now that “Nothing in life is guaranteed. And much in life isn’t fair” (360). Mike tells his father not to worry so much, but Earley knows that statistically speaking, his son will likely relapse at some point in his life. Despite his fears, Earley cherishes the fact that, at least for now, he has his son back.