Street Crazy : America's Mental Health Tragedy [Paperback]

Stephen B. Seager (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0966582772 | ISBN-13: 978-0966582772 | Publication Date: November 30, 2000

STREET CRAZY recounts one psychiatrist's experience with the mentally ill, who have often become homeless because of their disease. Using clear, straight-forward language, Dr. Stephen B. Seager explains brain disease, tells the often disturbing history of the mentally ill, and shows how, through a series of well-meaning legal mishaps, our most vulnerable citizens have been abandoned to the streets. By following Dr. Seager as he unravels the mystery behind John Doe, a sick young man brought to the hospital by the police, the reader will come to understand the degradation and suffering of the chronically mentally ill and their families, as well as the frustration and confusion experienced by those most intimately involved with caring for the homeless mentally ill. Finally, the author suggests some real action that we, as U.S. citizens, can take to solve this morally untenable but seemingly insurmountable dilemma.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fantastic! The movement to improve the plight of the homeless mentally ill has found a clear voice. STREET CRAZY will be the equivalent of Ralph Nader's Unsafe at Any Speed or Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. Mental illness profoundly affects most of us, often through the sad story of a sick relative or friend, and if you've ever wondered what was happening, this book will answer your questions simply and clearly. I can't recommend STREET CRAZY highly enough." Carla Jacobs, Board of Directors for NAMI -- National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

"Fantastic! The plight of the homeless mentally ill has found a clear voice." -- Carla Jacobs, Former Board Member, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

About the Author

Dr. Stephen B. Seager worked as a public sector psychiatrist in Los Angeles County for nine years. He is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. Currently, he divides his time between writing and practicing psychiatry. He lives in Torrance, California. Street Crazy is his fourth book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Westcom Associates (November 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966582772
• ISBN-13: 978-0966582772
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,372 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A frank and passionate critique of our mental health system, December 2, 1999

By 

D. Monez "Love to Laugh" (Napa, Ca.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Street Crazy : America's Mental Health Tragedy (Paperback)

Dr. Seager explains graphically and passionately what those of us who have dealt with the homeless mentally ill have know for years; the current system is neither humane nor effective. His chronicles of his real life patients show how the current system, which places patients' personal freedoms and rights over their own safety and the safety of the community, is creating a dangerous subculture of homeless mentally ill whose only option to a night on the streets is a night in jail. He opens the controversial debate pitting moral and ethical laws against Constitutional law, and tries to strike the delicate balance between the two. Bravo to Dr. Seager from a career peace officer and current Police Chief. We need to have this discussion especially as Calfornia's mental health laws are up for review this year.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and challenging. It's time to rethink LPS, September 19, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Carlsbad, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Street Crazy : America's Mental Health Tragedy (Paperback)

I'm a Psychologist and have devoted my career to working with the chronically mentally ill. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Dr. Seager's passion for the severly chronically mentally ill is absolutely inspiring. His account of the abuse of the mentally is poinient. That is, allowing the most severe of the mentally ill to walk the streets homeless is barbaric. We can and we need to do better. Dr. Seager explains how this all came about while weaving a story of the struggles of his own life.

I highly recommend reading this book. In fact I've purchased more books for collegues and local legislatures.

I want to be a part of this movement toward making drastic changes to our mental health system. It's time for us all to put our heads together and work collaboratively to create a system that makes sense.

Please read this book and share the information and the book with others. We can all make a difference one person at a time.

Dave Tweedy, Ph.D, MFT Director, Behavioral Health Services Tri-City Medical Center [e-mail]

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! A must read!, August 21, 2001

By 

frypatty "frypatty" (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Street Crazy : America's Mental Health Tragedy (Paperback)

I just recently read this book and in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. It definitely gives you a different out look on our mental health care today and makes you think. I believe that our country has gone backwards in its care for the mentally ill. If your interested in mental health, mental illness, this is the book to read.