J. Edgar Introduction

I hereby pledge on my honor that I have neither given nor received unauthorized help on this work. -Margaret Jones

J. Edgar, a 2011 film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, portrays the life of J. Edgar Hoover and his role in shaping the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The film takes the viewer through Hoover’s career and his impact in the nation’s federal law enforcement agency. This film and the professional life of J. Edgar Hoover is essential in comprehending the transformation of the FBI as well as a shifting US culture and stance towards crime and radicalism.

IMPORTANT CAST MEMBERS

J. Edgar Hoover: Leonardo DiCaprio

Clyde Tolson: Armie Hammer

Annie Hoover: Judi Dench

Helen Gandy: Naomi Watts

The Mentally Ill and Incarceration

This short webinar from PsychU discusses the issues that the mentally ill face in the criminal justice system. They’re often bullied, serve longer sentences, and are more likely to commit suicide than other inmates are. They also discuss the link between homelessness and incarceration and refer to the “revolving door” cycle that they face because they aren’t provided with care or resources to help them succeed when they get out. This webinar was created earlier this year, so it shows that we haven’t come that far since 2006 when Earley’s book was written.

Mental Health Justice Act of 2021

In light of our recent discussions about mental health reform and the legislation surrounding mental health, mental health institutions, and the incarnation of individuals in need of mental health care, I wanted to see if there have been any recent developments outside of the rather depressing (pardon my use of the term) news and events that seem to come up in this class. For this, I went straight to Congress. I was inspired after seeing Parker’s VA legislation for 2022 and wanted to see if anything was being done at the national level instead of just the state. What I found was both inspiring and also a bit sad. Apparently, in February 2021 there was a bill introduced to the House, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2021, that would “create a grant program for states and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs.” Another interesting thing I found about this bill is that is would aim the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would manage the program in consultation with the Department of Justice. SAMHSA would be able to cancel grants that increase incarceration or institutionalization while grantees must use funds for purposes including “de-escalation and anti-racism training.” This bill was referred to a subcommittee in April and has stayed in that position since then. Congress.gov provides a neat little tracker that let you view where a bill is, but it is nowhere near being ready to be passed. I supoose it is the thought that counts. However, I find it more than a bit disheartening knowing such a think sound have been proposed around the time Earley published his book. It appears time has passed on by, leaving mental health in the dust despite people becoming aware of these issues (if they already weren’t) over a decade an a half ago.

Congress. “H.R.1368 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Mental Health Justice Act of 2021.” April 28, 2021. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1368.

Mental Health Justice Act of 2021

In light of our recent discussions about mental health reform and the legislation surrounding mental health, mental health institutions, and the incarnation of individuals in need of mental health care, I wanted to see if there have been any recent developments outside of the rather depressing (pardon my use of the term) news and events that seem to come up in this class. For this, I went straight to Congress. I was inspired after seeing Parker’s VA legislation for 2022 and wanted to see if anything was being done at the national level instead of just the state. What I found was both inspiring and also a bit sad. Apparently, in February 2021 there was a bill introduced to the House, the Mental Health Justice Act of 2021, that would “create a grant program for states and local governments to train and dispatch mental health professionals to respond, instead of law enforcement officers, to emergencies that involve people with behavioral health needs.” Another interesting thing I found about this bill is that is would aim the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) would manage the program in consultation with the Department of Justice. SAMHSA would be able to cancel grants that increase incarceration or institutionalization while grantees must use funds for purposes including “de-escalation and anti-racism training.” This bill was referred to a subcommittee in April and has stayed in that position since then. Congress.gov provides a neat little tracker that let you view where a bill is, but it is nowhere near being ready to be passed. I supoose it is the thought that counts. However, I find it more than a bit disheartening knowing such a think sound have been proposed around the time Earley published his book. It appears time has passed on by, leaving mental health in the dust despite people becoming aware of these issues (if they already weren’t) over a decade an a half ago.

Congress. “H.R.1368 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Mental Health Justice Act of 2021.” April 28, 2021. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1368.

Let There Be Light (1946)

Week #14

Let There Be Light (1946) — known to the U.S. Army as PMF 5019 — is a documentary film directed by American filmmaker John Huston, while serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II.

Our class this Tuesday has some readings on PTSD and the terrible impact this disorder had on returning veterans. I have covered this topic for several of my history courses and this film was part of my research. John Huston was an amazing film director, writer, producer and actor. Some of his most famous films are: The Maltese Falcon, Key Largo, and The African Queen. It is notable that Huston, while serving as a Major in the Army Signal Corps, directed this documentary.

The film was intended to educate the public about PTSD and its treatment among returning WWII veterans. Unfortunately, the film’s gritty unscripted presentation of PTSD was so upsetting the government suppressed the film, and it was not released until the 1980s.

WEEK#13: What is Schizophrenia?

Above is an informational TEDed about Schizophrenia. In class, we have talked about Schizophrenia, and reading Pete Earley’s book we get first-hand accounts of the disorder, but I wanted to know more. Schizophrenia is a complex disorder and does not present the same in every individual. Earley’s work is, in my opinion, pessimistic which is understandable because of the case studies he did I’m Miami. But, I wanted a more generalized and unbiased view of the disorder and the TEDed does a good job of that.

A Father’s Love (Or Vice-Versa)

As I’ve been reading Pete Earley’s Crazy, my main focus has been on one particular factor, which is proven by the book itself; Earley’s love for his son, Mike.

From the other sources which we have read; most asylum patients were particularly disposed of and isolated by their families. Earley’s entire case study of the inhumane treatment and disposal of the mentally ill to understand the importance of proper mental health treatment is something that I personally find quite touching.

Even from the very beginning of the book, Earley describes how mental illness does not discriminate; it can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, etc. I think that this is a very important factor to emphasize.

I like this book. I’d recommend it.

Implementation of Hawaii’s “Forced Treatment” Law

Hawaii has the highest per capital rate of homelessness in the nation. About a third of homeless in Hawaii suffer from mental illness. This 2019 article discusses the strengthening of Hawaii’s Assisted Community Treatment Law, first enacted in 2013, whose goal was to compel severely mentally ill to receive psychiatric treatment when they are a danger to themselves. The previous law was vague in its language about what constituted a person’s being a danger to themselves. Many civil rights advocates in the state argued that the law applied only to persons threatening to kill themselves or do bodily harm to themselves. Consequently, only ten people were ever compelled to receive treatment under this law. The updated law makes the language more clear, stating that a demonstrated inability for a person to “provide themselves adequate food, shelter, or medical care–including medical care,” constitutes a person’s being a danger to themselves. https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/09/homeless-advocates-test-hawaiis-new-forced-treatment-law/

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