Author's Experience, Investigation Find U.S. Mental Health System is "Crazy"

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Pete Earley, author of Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Pete Earley, an investigative reporter and author of Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness, will give a free public lecture at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in the Verizon Ballroom of the Arkansas Union at the University of Arkansas. No tickets are necessary. Earley will also be available for an informal question-and-answer session between 2:30 and 4 p.m. Thursday in the Verizon Ballroom. All interested members of the community are invited.

Earley’s book is this year’s One Book, One Community selection, and it is being read in several U of A classes, including the new University Perspectives course for freshmen, as well as by numerous local book clubs.

One Book, One Community is an annual program that uses a single book, and related events, to focus local attention on timely themes and issues. The program is in its fifth year at the University of Arkansas.

“Each year, the One Book, One Community committee tries to find a subject – and a book – that will be both timely and relevant,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the committee. “Sadly, recent events keep reminding us that there are problems with the way this country deals with the mentally ill, and that the consequences can be tragic. Pete Earley’s book identifies some of the problems and offers possible solutions.”

Crazy is an investigation and critique of the U.S. mental health system, particularly in its relation to the criminal justice system. Earley’s book grew out of his experiences trying to help his mentally ill son navigate these intersecting systems. Earley then spent nine months as an observer inside the Miami Dade County jail, following inmates with mental disorders through the criminal justice system and out into the streets. He came to the conclusion that the American mental health system is “crazy” and in his book he advocates for changes.