Pete Earley:From Journalist to Advocate

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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

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The content on Why Not Me: Embracing Autism amd Mental Health Worldwide, including discussions on mental health, autism, and related topics, is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only.

The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not reflect those of the podcast, its hosts, or affiliates.

Why Not Me is not a medical or mental health professional and does not endorse or verify the accuracy, efficacy, safety of any treatments, programs, or advice discussed.

Listeners should consult qualified healthcare professionals, such as licensed therapists, psychologists, or physicians, before making decisions about mental health or autism- related care.

Reliance on this podcast's contents is at the listener's own risk.

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1. Pete Earley:From Journalist to Advocate (00:00:00)

2. Welcome to Why Not Me? (00:00:05)

3. Pete Early's Personal Mental Health Journey (00:05:12)

4. Kevin's Descending Crisis (00:10:10)

5. Incarceration Instead of Treatment (00:15:16)

6. CIT Training Makes a Difference (00:21:54)

7. Recovery Is Possible (00:25:34)

8. The System Designed for Failure (00:30:43)