That says it all. A family member may be sub-acute, then subjected to a stressor that causes decompensation resulting in a psychotic episode. When it happens, there is NO PLACE TO TURN FOR HELP.
Yes, it is really dreadful.
And this is one of those areas where I think there would be largely agreement, across political, demographic groups.
But somehow, a while ago, our country decided putting dopes in charge of things was a good idea.
Hey, not that things were great before, but mental illness is an area where there have been advances but in many cases the mentally ill are no better off than they ever were.
If you look at the homeless population and even those in prison many (if not most in the case of the homeless) are severely mentally ill.
Let me add this - there is still a stigma attached to mental illness, I think that is really a big part of it.
If your child or spouse or you have cancer well that is one thing. But if it’s mental illness, it seems that somehow people seek to impart blame.
This stigma has been overcome, to a large extent, in terms of substance abuse and addiction, but not in terms of mental illness.
And let’s face it, a lot of money is spent treating those who are merely neurotic or depressed. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!) But trying to get help for the really crazy and delusional, well good luck with that.