My uncle is a prime example of this country's inadequate treatment of the mentally ill

[Robyn66]

http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x316470298/Standoff-suspect-remains-in-jail

Once again, thank you to all of you who lived through this ordeal with me last week. This article in the Eagle Tribune has the whole story down perfectly. If you click on the link, you will also see pictures of my uncle at his arraignment hearing. He belongs in a hospital but he will be in jail because that is just how the system works.

[WhiteTara]

1. I'm happy for you and your family that

he didn't suicide himself through cop. Perhaps he will be remanded to a hospital. Will people be there to speak for him?

My arms are around you during this very difficult time. :hug:

[Robyn66]

5. My dad, my uncles wife and my cousin

are all there doing the best they can. He was actually offered a reduced bail with the condition he go directly to a mental health facility by my uncle told them to go shit in their hat and went on a rant on how this was all his wife's fault and the town's fault and he was going to sue everyone. CLEARLY not the actions of someone in their right mind. I know my cousin is doing everything he can. He is a lawyer, but the real dilemma is that my uncle IS a danger to himself and others and he should not be released unless it is to a hospital that is prepared to handle him.

It sounds like he has a host of mental problems beyond depression that he has not been diagnosed with and his diabetes is in bad shape. I don't know how closely prisons monitor these things but this is what he needs.

[WhiteTara]

9. sounds like you all are going through the soup

and I certainly hope this works well for all of you. It certainly sounds like the diabetes is also a real factor in his mental health. I have no idea how prisons or jails monitor inmates meds, but I do wish you all the best.
:hug:

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. My heart aches and breaks for your uncle, and you and your family

What your uncle is going through, and the effects of a judicial system, as well as a medical and legal system that does not address or recognize the need and urgency of assisting those who suffer from mental illness is a national shame. Sadly, mental illness in our country seems to still be regarded as a fringe issue.

I hope your uncle does receive the care that he needs. When one person suffers from mental illness in a family, those connected to that person, whether through family, friend or community, are also greatly affected.

:hug: :grouphug: :hug:

[Robyn66]

8. Thank you

it is really like watching a car heading over a cliff and you cant do anything about it! It is very frustrating and sad!

[NOLALady]

3. Prisons

are used as mentally ill institutions.

[mopinko]

6. the largest mental health institution in illinois is

the cook county jail. the new board president say that everyone who comes to the jail is addicted. a huge percentage of those are just self medicating. she promises to make sure that there is better evaluation, and better treatment for addiction. unfortunately since people are there awaiting trial, they get started on the right road, then they get released and there is not good follow up.
the old warehouses for the mentally ill were bad, but ending up in jail is not the answer, either.

[Robyn66]

7. I'm hoping that is the kind of care he gets

I am also hoping someone can diagnose him with some kind of mental illness. He is certainly too frail to be in with the general prison population.

[ThatsMyBarack]

4. That just breaks my heart.

:cry:

Sounds like another excuse for "imprisonment for profit." :mad: