My son Michael, is seen in this video singing to his daughter (my granddaughter). Michael loved his daughter more than anything in the world. Michael began battling mental illness around age 16, and it progressively worsened over the years. By the time he was 20, it was clear that he needed professional medical assistance. Despite our family's desperate pleas for help from community support systems, they failed him due to weak laws.
Eventually, Michael turned to heavy drinking and drugs to cope with his pain, leading to legal troubles. He was frequently in and out of local jails and violated probation terms due to his inability to manage his own affairs, resulting in a state prison sentence.
We continued to advocate for him, but help never came. On July 4th, 2019, Michael took another's life and was awaiting trial, facing life in prison or the death penalty. On April 17th, 2021, Michael died on a cold jail cell floor while in the custody of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Although he was in solitary custody, he was given an experimental drug for his mental condition, which led to a fatal heart attack.
Folks, mental health care in Arizona and throughout the United States is in a dire state. There is a significant gap in the availability of effective mental health services, leaving many individuals without the support they desperately need. This lack of resources and assistance contributes to worsening conditions and tragic outcomes for countless people and their families.
To address this crisis, we must take several crucial steps. First, there must be increased funding for mental health services, ensuring that they are accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. Second, we need to implement stronger laws and policies that prioritize mental health care and provide comprehensive support systems. Third, we must invest in education and training for mental health professionals to ensure that they are equipped to handle the complexities of mental illness. Finally, there needs to be a focus on early intervention and prevention programs to help identify and address mental health issues before they escalate. If even half of these suggestions were in place, my son and another person would likely be alive today.
Only by taking these steps can we begin to heal our nation and provide the necessary support for those struggling with mental illness. The time to act is now, before more lives are lost to this silent epidemic.
29 июн 2024
