Treatment, Not Jail:

 Treatment, Not Jail: Frantz Needs Our Help.   BACKGROUND… Frantz life took a transformative turn in January 2005 when he was diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia disorder after having a documented mental breakdown while attending college at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).  Frantz was an academically stellar student, majoring in both political science and communication, and was very outgoing and involved in many facets of academia and student life.  One of which he is very proud of is that he was a founding member of one of the campus’ most prestigious student organizations, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  Frantz lived a vibrant, productive, busy life, providing ongoing service through his many capacities and holding positions in many organizations, including being president of the FAU Honor Society.  He thrived off of succeeding academically, helping others through service and by networking with fellow students as he laid the foundation for what he considered a bright future. Can you imagine how being diagnosed with bipolar schizophrenia disorder could disrupt a young man’s life who was positioned for greatness as he prepared to conquer the world through his academic accolades and providing service to those in need and whose future seemed so bright and promising from where he stood?  This is Frantz poignant story. Although Frantz’s diagnosis came as no surprise to his family because his uncle also suffered from mental disorder(s), he nor his family were prepared for the financial strain of paying for treatment that would come with the condition nor the lack of knowledge offered via virtually nonexistent community outreach programs due to the associated stigma and lack of awareness of mental illness and resultant issues.  As such, Frantz’s success with managing his condition was not successful, and in fact, was quite overwhelming.  As he was not even aware oftentimes of when he would go into manic-depressive stages nor was he properly trained to recognize the triggers.  Over the years, Frantz has had approximately 4 manic episodes attributable to insomnia and poor diet.  The last episode prior to the current one took place in 2012 and he was fortunate to have medicine that allowed the bipolar, schizophrenia disorder to be managed minimally at best.  The medication wasn’t as effective as it could have been because Frantz did not have any mental illness support assigned to him.  Recently, his family acknowledged Frantz’s behavior became erratic and unstable slowly, but consistently and they did not know how to help him return to the lovable, charming, witty, compassionate Frantz that they knew and loved.  In fact, based on his current behavior, Frantz’s family depicted him as someone they didn't recognize and he actually has no recollection of ever exhibiting the erratic, reckless, and unstable behavior described.   Unfortunately, Frantz had no knowledge or awareness that his medicine was not properly working and as a result, he underwent a complete mental breakdown or manic phase and requires extensive treatment which he cannot afford. WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER? Bipolar disorder is a serious condition. Mania often involves sleeplessness, sometimes for days, along with hallucinations, psychosis, grandiose delusions, or paranoid rage.  In addition, depressive episodes can be more devastating and harder to treat than in people who never have manias or hypomanias. Bipolar disorder is a complex disorder that likely stems from a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors. The mood episodes associated with it involve clinical depression or mania (extreme elation and high energy) with periods of normal mood and energy in between episodes. The severity of mood episodes can range from very mild to extreme, and they can happen gradually or suddenly within a timeframe of days to weeks. When discrete mood episodes happen four or more times per year, the process is called rapid cycling. Along with manic or depressive episodes, patients with bipolar disorder may have disturbances in thinking. They may also have distortions of perception and impairment in social functioning. Marked by relapses and remissions, bipolar disorder has a high rate of recurrence if untreated.    GET THE FACTS… ·         Arrest and incarceration are potential complications of bipolar disorder which has a higher prevalence among incarcerated individuals than in the community.  Relationships between psychiatric diagnoses and criminal behavior are complex and can be direct, or indirect, through comorbid conditions or environmental factors.  Early onset of bipolar disorder is associated with juvenile antisocial behavior and a greater likelihood of arrest. · A 13-year prospective study found that high hypomania scores predicted an increased likelihood of subsequent arrest in a nonclinical sample of adolescents.  Individuals with bipolar disorder who had been arrested had more hospitalizations than those who had not and were more likely to be experiencing manic symptoms. Increased risk for arrest or incarceration in subjects with severe bipolar disorder could reflect impulsivity or more severe mood instability. Risk for criminal behavior in bipolar disorder may be related to, or even dependent on, presence of a substance use disorder which, in turn, is associated with increased impulsivity. · Each year more than 2 million people with serious mental illness are booked into jail. That number is equal to every man, woman, and child in Houston, the largest city in Texas and the fourth most populous city in the United States. Half of these inmates get no treatment in jail—even though county jails today serve as the nation’s largest mental health facilities. ·The costs to taxpayers are high and the outcomes are poor. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize the absurdity of a system in which the cost of incarcerating a person with mental illness is three times the cost of incarcerating a person without one. Housing an inmate with mental illness in jail costs $31,000 annually, while community mental health services cost about $10,000. The difference could pay for a year of college for an in-state student. In San Antonio, screening and diversion efforts have saved $10 million per year and reduced jail overcrowding. In Miami, reforms have saved $12 million and the number of inmates has fallen from about 7,800 to 4,800. Especially important of course is providing appropriate, effective mental health services in communities before crises ever occur. Reform is possible. We need to build on success. Step by step, we can both save money and save lives.  We can save lives and save money, but it is going to require everyone doing their part. ·         In November of 2018, the State of Florida along with 42 other states, commenced offering mental illness court whereas the individual can get the proper treatment needed, mandatory medical treatments and drug testing procedures.  This new initiative allows the mentally ill to be assigned to mandatory community-based programs. For those who aren’t familiar with bipolar disorder, improper or no treatment can often lead to impulsive criminal activity and Franz’s experience with this disease is no different.  Most of his manic episodes lead to some form of impulsive criminal activity. One of the top concerns Frantz and those who suffer from his condition have is what happens when a person living with mental illness encounters the criminal justice system. Recently, Frantz’s bipolar disorder had yet again wreaked havoc upon his life, this time he went through a 72-hour insomnia phase caused by his condition.  At the end of this manic stage, he was advised by law enforcement that he was involved in some criminal activity.  Frantz was then held involuntarily pursuant to The Baker Act of Florida, which is a law that allows people with mental illnesses to be held involuntarily for up to 72 hours in a mental health treatment facility if they meet certain criteria.  After completion of the 72-hour examination and treatment process, Frantz was released to the Broward County Sheriff’s Department Jail and was charged with crimes that he denies having a recollection of committing.  While currently in custody of the Broward County Sheriff’s Department, Frantz is only exposed to little or no mental health services, which is often limited to classes or mental illness counseling with someone who does not have proper training nor does he/she have access to the medical history on the inmates. stories people share should shock the conscience of America. HOW YOU CAN HELP… Frantz is reaching out for help from his family, friends, peers, community, and others who desire to help him with his current dilemma.  He is currently in the fight of his life and he is requesting your assistance helping him to raise funds to cover legal fees as well as ongoing support from community-based organizations. Frantz is not looking for any handouts, simply any assistance that you.  He wishes to reclaim his normal life as he knew it.  Frantz, fortunately, has survived his most recent encounters of being thrown into solitary confinement without proper support and/or treatment and being left under the care of custodians who have no training in handling or providing for mentally ill individuals.  Like many others, Frantz’s situation is heartbreaking—and an injustice. Jails are no place for mental health care. Frantz’s story echoes many other mentally ill individuals, who have been jailed for non-violent offenses and go without treatment and are not connected to the help they need and have lost hope and no longer have the will to fight or seek help.    Let’s work together to try to change things and make progress in the community as relates to mental illness awareness, treatment, and support.  Let’s start with Frantz and set an example that we can rally behind one another and help when those who are mentally ill reach out and seek assistance.  Change and reform can start with our friend Frantz and we can lead the way for current and future programs, agencies and organizations to follow suit.  Frantz is ever so grateful for any level of help you are able to and are willing to provide.  Join me in taking a step today toward a better future where no one is punished for being ill and people with serious mental illness get treatment, not jail. With your assistance, Frantz can face the challenges ahead and defend himself against these alleged crimes he committed while in the manic stage of his disease.  He has a great foundation and has a flourishing educational background which can help him lead the thriving, successful, fulfilling life he once had.  He even has plans to re-engage into his community and help our youth and others who suffer from mental illnesses.  He also wishes to become an entrepreneur and open a business in the inner cities and also become an Uber driver with the goal to specifically decrease local DUIs by picking up individuals from clubs that consume alcohol.    *Every prayer, every positive thought, every dollar and every gesture of support is greatly appreciated. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL & ANY AMOUNT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Thank you and please check back here for updates.