Book Review: Street Crazy

I want to thank you all for voting in my little poll on which book to read next. 55% of you wanted me to read Street Crazy: America's Mental Health Tragedy by Stephen B. Seager, and so I did.

Although I'm sure Dr. Seager is an excellent psychiatrist, and he has done some incredible work with the homeless mentally ill, the book failed to impress me. However, Seager presented some alarming facts about public policy in relation to mental illness. For example, did you know that in many areas of the country, a person is considered legally competent to live on their own if they wear tattered clothes, sleep under a car and forage for food in a dumpster? Legally, this counts as clothing, shelter and food. These people, most of whom are schizophrenic, are not eligible for any type of long-term care.

Seager presented the problem in horrifying detail, but he also talked about solutions, promoting a great organization called the National Alliance on Mentall Illness (NAMI). The organization is focused on advocacy, research, support and education to improve the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families. Another excellent organization is the one my mother works for, the Mental Health Association. Both websites have numerous resources available, so if you or someone you know is struggling with debilitating mental illness, you should definitely check them out.

Comments

[Anne Marie Healy]

I disagree with your comment that ADDers are not disturbed by background noise in libraries. I know that there are certain types of ADDers that need some background noise, but not all ADDers are alike. I have always been disturbed by background noise in libraries.

It's supposed to be quiet in a library. So, I go to the library to study because I can focus better without noise, which distracts me. When people are talking, or walking around, it is distracting to me.

I like the idea of libraries "going Starbucks", but I hope they continue to have quiet sections in them.

There are different types of ADDers. Some need absolute quiet to be able to focus on something, and others need some background noise.

I'm an attorney. Even in the law library, where I think most people, ADD and non-ADD alike want quiet, I would have to wear ear plugs to cut down on the noise of people whispering and keyboards clicking.