Pete Earley:From Journalist to Advocate

Send us Fan Mail 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?