Cindee Murphy: When the System Fails:Tristan Murphy's Story Changes Florida Law
Send us a textCindy Murphy shares the heartbreaking story of her son Tristan, who struggled with schizophrenia and died by suicide while incarcerated after being handed a chainsaw during a prison work detail. Through her grief, Cindy has become a powerful advocate for mental health reform in the criminal justice system, working to pass the Tristan Murphy Act in Florida.• Tristan developed schizophrenia in his 30s, unusually late compared to typical onset in teens or early 20s• After his first psychotic episode, Tristan spent 8 months in jail before being declared incompetent to stand trial• When properly medicated, Tristan functioned well and maintained a relationship with his children• Florida ranks #1 in mental health needs but #49 in providing mental health services• The Tristan Murphy Act aims to identify mental health issues within 24 hours of arrest and divert people to treatment• Approximately 30% of prison inmates have mental health issues• New treatments like long-acting injectable medications can help people with schizophrenia maintain stability• The documentary "The Warehouse: The Life and Death of Tristan Murphy" is available on YouTubeIf you know anyone that would like to tell their story, send them to tonymantor.com/contact with their information so one day they may be a guest on our show. Please tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me ? Embracing Autism and Mental Health Worldwide The World, the conversations we're having, and the inspiration our guests give to everyone that you are not alone in this world.https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
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Ann Corcoran: Psychosis Isn't a Choice
Send us a textAnn Corcoran, Executive Director of the National Shattering Silence Coalition, discusses the broken systems that fail those with serious mental illness and their families through discriminatory practices and neglect. She shares powerful stories of families desperately seeking help for loved ones in psychosis, highlighting how outdated laws and policies create barriers to treatment until tragedy strikes.• Explaining the difference between stigma and the true barriers to treatment for serious mental illness• Exploring anosognosia - the neurological inability to recognize one's own illness• Advocating for Assisted Outpatient Treatment laws to provide early intervention before hospitalization• Illuminating how prisons have become de facto mental health institutions with 70-90% of inmates having mental illness• Sharing concrete strategies for families to navigate the mental health and criminal justice systems• Demonstrating how legislative change requires education and family stories to overcome misinformation• Explaining how untreated psychosis, not lack of housing, drives many mentally ill individuals to homelessness• Highlighting the cost savings ($15+ million in one county) when proper treatment replaces incarcerationConnect with the National Shattering Silence Coalition at nsscoalition.org to learn how you can help change policies that discriminate against those with serious mental illness or to get assistance navigating these complex systems.https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
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Laura Craciun: A Son's Mental Illness and a System That Failed Him
Send us a textLaura Craciun shares her son's harrowing journey with serious mental illness and the systemic failures that criminalize mental health conditions instead of treating them. Her story highlights the urgent need for better policies to support individuals with psychosis and their families.• Laura's son was misdiagnosed with ADHD before eventually being diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at age 20• Cannabis use potentially triggered or worsened his psychotic symptoms• Despite 16 attempts to get help through ERs and police, the family faced constant rejection from healthcare facilities• Anosognosia (lack of illness awareness) prevented her son from voluntarily seeking treatment• After a violent episode, her son entered the justice system rather than receiving appropriate psychiatric care• Their state's mental health department only offers services to those who volunteer, excluding those with anosognosia• The legal system spent resources on 72 court hearings rather than on treatment• Laura advocates for Assisted Outpatient Treatment laws to bridge the gap between legal and medical systems• Better education is needed for judges, lawyers, and medical professionals about serious mental illnessWe ask that you 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.https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
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Lynn Nanos: Navigating Psychosis: A Mobile Crisis Worker's Perspective
Send us a textLynn Nanos, a mobile psychiatric emergency social worker with 15+ years experience, shares insights on evaluating and helping people with serious mental illness in crisis situations. Her work bridges the gap between law enforcement and mental healthcare, providing crucial interventions for individuals experiencing psychosis and other mental health emergencies.• Conducts psychiatric evaluations in various settings including homes, police stations, nursing homes, and even public spaces• Assesses whether individuals need hospitalization or can be referred to outpatient treatment• Works with police to divert people from the criminal justice system when possible• Explains the "revolving door" problem with brief hospital stays leading to recurring crises• Advocates for Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) to reduce homelessness, hospitalization, and incarceration• Discusses anosognosia (lack of awareness of illness) affecting up to 97% of untreated schizophrenia patients• Clarifies that most people with mental illness are not violent and are more likely to be victims• Highlights the difference between psychosis and borderline personality disorder interventions• Emphasizes that mental illnesses are brain disorders that shouldn't be stigmatizedContact us at TonyMantor.com if you would like to share your story on our show. Tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me, the conversations we're having, and the inspiration our guests give to everyone that you are not alone in this world.https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
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Jerri Clark: A Mother's Journey Through Loss and Advocacy
Send us a textGeri Clark, Resource and Advocacy Manager at Treatment Advocacy Center, shares her devastating journey of losing her son to severe mental illness while navigating a broken treatment system that wouldn't help until it was too late. She reveals critical gaps in our mental health system and explains how legal barriers, misunderstood medical conditions, and insufficient family support create deadly consequences for those with severe psychiatric disorders.• Son experienced his first psychotic break at 19 while attending college on a debate scholarship• After a four-year struggle with severe mental illness, her son took his own life in 2019• Anosognosia is a neurobiological symptom where the brain cannot perceive its own illness• Current mental health system requires evidence of harm before providing involuntary treatment• Treatment standards based on legal criteria rather than medical need lead to preventable tragedies• Insurance companies create "ghost networks" of mental health providers who aren't actually available• Families are often excluded from treatment decision-making despite being primary caregivers• Prolonged exposure to untreated psychosis causes brain damage and reduces recovery chances• Some states now include psychiatric deterioration in their criteria for involuntary treatment• Treatment Advocacy Center works to develop grassroots advocates pursuing legislative change• Mental health crises receive far less urgent response than medical emergencies like strokesIf you know anyone who would like to tell their story, send them to tonymantor.com and contact us so they can be a guest on our show. Tell everyone everywhere about Why Not Me? The World, the conversations we're having, and the inspiration our guests give to show that you are not alone in this world.https://tonymantor.comhttps://Facebook.com/tonymantorhttps://instagram.com/tonymantorhttps://twitter.com/tonymantorhttps://youtube.com/tonymantormusicintro/outro music bed written by T. WildWhy Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Embracing Autism/Mental Health WorldwideAutism is a complex neurodevelopmental condition affecting millions worldwide, characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Despite increasing recognition, there remains a lack of understanding and awareness about the condition.Mental health encompasses a range of conditions impacting emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affecting millions globally. It includes disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychosis. Schizophrenia is marked by symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, while psychosis involves a loss of contact with reality, often presenting with similar symptoms. Despite growing awareness, stigma and misconceptions about mental health, particularly schizophrenia and psychosis, persist, underscoring the need for greater understanding and support.From celebrating neurodiversity to breaking down stigma, we create a safe space for listeners to learn, grow, and feel seen. Whether you're on the spectrum, a caregiver, or an advocate, join our global community for inspiring conversations and empowering resources that uplift and unite. Tune in to embrace understanding, healing, and hope worldwide!Together, we can create a more informed and compassionate society for individuals with Autism and Mental Illness.
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