<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2117852/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>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.<br><br>• Diagnosis came during his son Kevin's college years with warning signs like "food doesn't taste good" and confusion about reality<br>• Psychiatrist delivered a devastating prognosis: "incurable disease" with lifetime medication, weight gain, likely unemployment<br>• Kevin stopped taking medication after a few weeks, leading to psychosis and breaking into a stranger's house<br>• Early couldn't get help until his son became "dangerous" enough for intervention<br>• His son joined 365,000 Americans with serious mental illness who end up in jails and prisons annually<br>• Crisis intervention training for police makes crucial difference in mental health encounters<br>• Recovery came through proper medication, independent living with supportive roommates, and finding purpose as a peer counselor<br>• Early discovered the difference between being a parent versus a partner in someone's recovery<br>• Mental health system requires criminal behavior before providing adequate treatment<br>• Despite Early's connections and resources, getting proper help took years of struggle<br><br>If you know anyone who would like to share their story on Why Not Me? The World, visit TonyMantor.com/Contact. T</p><p>ell everyone everywhere about our show and the inspiration our guests provide, reminding you that you are not alone in this world.<br><br><br></p><p>https://tonymantor.com<br>https://Facebook.com/tonymantor<br>https://instagram.com/tonymantor<br>https://twitter.com/tonymantor<br>https://youtube.com/tonymantormusic<br>intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild<br>Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)</p>