I was diagnosed with bipolar disease when I was 27. Several years ago I had my first mental health crisis triggered by the mass death and destruction of the Haitian earthquake. In my delusional state and thinking the world was ending, I left town to ride it out in a cabin. I had spent many happy times there and left a message for the owner expecting them to join me.
Unable to find the spare key I broke a window to climb in thinking the owners would know I’d be good for repairs. To my shock, I was charged with burglary and because my one allowed call to a family member was unsuccessful, I spent nine days in solitary confinement in a small windowless cell. For a person undergoing a mental-health crisis this is a terrifying situation. For the first time I seriously considered suicide.
The best outcome for me and other nonviolent offenders like me would have been to hospitalize me. We need more mental-health beds, not jail beds, for treating mental-health issues.
