| If you have a loved one with bipolar disorder, then you | | | | Even if your loved one has never been violent before, |
| need to be concerned about the police. Should your | | | | there may come a time during a manic episode when |
| loved one go into a manic episode and become violent, | | | | they do, and they become a threat to you or |
| you may have to call the police, and if they don't know | | | | themselves. You may become so afraid that you |
| that your loved one has a mental illness, things could | | | | have to involve the police. |
| get out of hand quickly. | | | | In my opinion, there still hasn't been enough education in |
| Sometimes people with bipolar disorder are shot and | | | | the community and in police departments to |
| even killed by the police. There are headlines that even | | | | necessarily keep them from killing a person in a bipolar |
| prove it. | | | | episode rather than just subduing them first and getting |
| Following are actual headlines taken right out of the | | | | them the help they need. |
| newspapers: | | | | Probably the most important thing you need to know is |
| • 46-year-old Bipolar Man Shot and Killed by | | | | this: Should you have to call the police due to your |
| Officers | | | | loved one's behavior, STAY (if at all possible) until the |
| • Man Killed by Cops was Bipolar | | | | police arrive, so that you can explain to them that your |
| • Inquest into Police Shooting Death of Bipolar Man | | | | loved one has bipolar disorder. In many states, it will |
| There was also a headline about a 23-year-old man | | | | make the difference between your loved one going to |
| who was shot and killed by the police. In this case, I | | | | the hospital or going to jail. |
| know the whole story, because this young man is | | | | If there is some reason you cannot stay, then at least |
| related to someone who works for me. | | | | make sure that when you do call the police, you tell |
| The young man's name was Jake. He had a small | | | | them that they will be dealing with someone who has |
| knife, was surrounded by a squad of policemen, and | | | | bipolar disorder. Again, it may mean the difference |
| they just shot first, without attempting to subdue him. | | | | between your loved one going to the hospital or going |
| Unfortunately, what the headlines didn't say was that | | | | to jail. Many times, the police will bring with them a |
| Jake had bipolar disorder and was in a manic episode | | | | mental health professional who will help them assess |
| at the time because he hadn't been taking his | | | | the situation and /or your loved one's condition. |
| medication. | | | | Unfortunately, Jake did not have this luxury. Had there |
| Being familiar with bipolar disorder because of having a | | | | been a mental health professional on the scene, he |
| loved one with the disorder, you do understand that | | | | may have stood a better chance of living. |
| while in a manic episode, your loved one is not in their | | | | As a supporter, I'm sure you would rather see your |
| right mind. They aren't thinking rationally. Who knows if | | | | loved one get the help they need rather than go to jail |
| Jake even understood what was happening to him? | | | | or be shot just for being in a bipolar episode. |