<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2117852/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>A mother and clinical social worker shares her heartbreaking journey navigating the legal system after her high-achieving son developed serious mental illness, revealing how our justice system criminalizes rather than treats mental health conditions. <br><br>• Licensed independent clinical social worker with 40+ years experience working with vulnerable populations<br>• Her academically successful son began experiencing internal racing thoughts and anxiety despite outward success<br>• Despite parents' professional backgrounds (mother a social worker, father a psychologist), they faced enormous challenges getting appropriate care<br>• Son discontinued medication at 29, leading to psychotic episodes and repeated negative police encounters<br>• Law enforcement and legal system demonstrated lack of training and empathy in handling mental health crises<br>• Massachusetts lacks assisted outpatient treatment programs that could have prevented criminalization<br>• 70-80% of incarcerated individuals suffer from serious mental illness<br>• Anosognosia: neurological condition where individuals lose ability to self-reflect on their behaviors<br>• Advocate working with National Shattering Silence Coalition to change legislation and improve mental health services<br>• Need for systemic change in how police, courts, and society respond to mental health conditions<br><br>Tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me, the world, the conversations we're having and the inspiration our guests give to everyone everywhere 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>