Profile of Mario’s life with mental illness

By JIM RAYPHAND
Special to the Saipan Tribune

The author received express written consent from the subject of this piece, Mario, to release information regarding his mental health issues, treatment and other challenges in order to bring awareness to the public and the media about the issues relating to mental health. The following was written in conjunction with NMPASI’s Annual Statement of Goals and Priorities at a cost to its federal grant programs of approximately $150.

To say that Mario has been in a revolving door of mental health services and other disability-related issues is an understatement. With multiple commitments (voluntary or otherwise) and a host of numerous other co-existing, recurrent problems over the years such as homelessness, hunger, exploitation, and substance abuse, Mario is in a constant struggle to balance his life on the whims of his own belief system, the influences of the people around him, and the demonic voices inside his head. “They tell me to hurt myself,” he says. “But now I just go the hospital and the medicine makes it stop…sometimes they give me shot.” And so the cycle goes on and on: one day roaming the streets happy-go-lucky and free, the other seeking refuge in the confines of a psychiatric ward and its doses of prescription silencers. To this day, I can’t escape the image of him (from years ago) through the glass window of the ward’s confinement room after he had just painted the walls red with his own blood from banging his head over and over until someone took notice. “I want it to get out,” he reminisces.

Unfortunately, it’s the above issues and images with which people tend to stigmatize, associate with, and discriminate against individuals with mental illness in general. The fact is, given the right environment, appropriate service plans and regular peer-support, most people with mental illness can and do lead successful, productive lives as independent members of our community—Mario is no exception. An estimated 50 million Americans experience a mental disorder each year. Mental illness is real and can be successfully treated.

The first time (at least that I can recall from nearly 12 years ago) that NMPASI represented Mario, our legal counsel at the time (coincidentally a sitting judge now for the Superior Court) faced off against the Department of Health’s assistant attorney general in a case to release him from the psychiatric ward where he was being held against his will on an involuntary commitment basis. What most people may not know is that people can be involuntarily committed to the psychiatric ward basically if “the person is mentally ill and presents a danger to self or others” (3 CMC § 2504). “The burden of proof shall be upon the agency (i.e., government) or the individual seeking involuntary commitment” (3 CMC § 2502), but the involuntary commitment cannot exceed 72 hours without an order from the court. Thus we were in court on Mario’s behalf. I forget the specific outcome of Mario’s particular case at that time, but the point is that people with mental illness cannot be held indefinitely for evaluation, treatment, or otherwise without procedural due process. In such cases, NMPASI generally represents the will of our clients and enforces their right to due process.

In another case, Mario sought employment with a private company, only to be told (because the employer knew him to be a person with mental illness) that he would not hire him because he was afraid that he might pour gasoline on the customers and light them on fire—true story. To our knowledge, Mario does not have a history of violence except against himself as previously described and so the above really speaks volumes about some of the unwarranted stigmas associated with mental illness. Again, NMPASI represented him in the case alleging discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act. The case settled with Mario being offered and taking the job; unfortunately, due to several factors, Mario did not hold the job for long and the cycle continues.

Mario has come and gone through NMPASI’s client services system with numerous other issues and continues to maintain a presence in and around the office. At present, he serves as a member of the State Mental Health Planning Council and is due to re-join the Protection & Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Advisory Council in the coming days.

I can’t say that Mario leads an ideal life by any means; in fact, I know he struggles from month to month and I think he could make better choices sometimes. But, that’s not for me to judge and he has the inalienable right to live his life the way he sees fit (despite any disability…mental or otherwise). For the most part, we take comfort in knowing only that we have played a part in safeguarding his rights in pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.

Jim Rayphand is executive director of the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc. [/I]