Mental Health Issues Focus of 2013 One Book, One Community Project

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Pete Earley, author of Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Reporter, novelist and non-fiction author Pete Earley will speak at the University of Arkansas this fall to discuss his book Crazy: A Father's Search Through America's Mental Health Madness. The book has been selected for the 2013 One Book, One Community reading project. Earley will visit Northwest Arkansas in November, meeting with students and holding a public lecture on Thursday, Nov. 7. He will speak to the annual meeting of local book clubs at the Fayetteville Public Library on Friday, Nov. 8.

“The One Book, One Community committee wanted to find a book that was both readable and relevant with a timely story,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, professor of sociology and co-chair of the One Book committee. “Crazy meets those qualifications. Pete Earley’s story-telling hooked me immediately, and the writing is very engaging and sensitive.”

“At the same time, mental illness is a major factor in so many of the issues in our society — from violence and gun control to poverty, homelessness and the criminal justice system. This book is an excellent introduction to the problems, both as a personal story and an in-depth investigation.”

Crazy begins with Earley’s efforts to help his college-age son, who is diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. Their experiences in both the mental health system and the criminal justice system convinced Earley to investigate both systems. He got permission to spend nine months inside the Miami Dade County jail, following inmates with mental disorders through the criminal justice system and out into the streets, documenting what he comes to decide is the “crazy” mental health system. 

“This is a very compelling and well-written story,” said David Jolliffe, professor of English, and committee co-chair. “Earley does an excellent job detailing both his family's experiences and the challenges we face trying to provide adequate mental health care for our citizens.”

Crazy will be read during the fall 2013 semester by incoming freshmen as part of the U of A’s new University Perspectives course, as well as by students in classes from a variety of disciplines. Local community book clubs associated with the Fayetteville Public Library will add the book to their reading list. Beyond that everyone at the university and in the community is invited to read the book and take part in events organized around the theme of community mental health. A calendar of events will be posted some time in the early fall.

Pete Earley was a reporter for the Tulsa Tribune and the Washington Post. He has written nine investigative non-fiction books and three novels. Crazy was one of two finalists for the 2007 Pulitzer Prize, and the book won awards from the American Psychiatric Association, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and Mental Health America.