Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness

Assisted living facilities (AFL) are halfway houses for people with mental illnesses as they transition to living independently. Many of the AFLs in Miami are poorly run and in bad condition. Nevertheless, Crazy argues that facilities like AFls are vital to mitigating The Dangers of Deinstitutionalization.

The Baker Act is a Florida law passed in 1971 stating that an individual can only be held involuntarily for psychiatric evaluation for 72 hours. For Earley, the law exemplifies the obstacles that relatives face when trying to obtain help for loved ones with mental illnesses. It also speaks to the broader problems associated with deinstitutionalization, which Earley argues was a well-meaning but ultimately misguided movement.

Bipolar disorder is a serious mood disorder characterized by extreme mood swings from mania to depression. This disorder can impair sleep, activity, judgment, and behavior. Earley’s son, Mike, receives a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, as does Ted Jackson.