Empowering Recovery: A Mental Health Advocate’s Guide to Supporting Those Experiencing Psychosis

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The tragic death of 18-year-old Ezekiel Baseme, who suffered from schizophrenia, has brought mental health issues into sharp focus. His brothers now face involuntary manslaughter charges after they allegedly tied him to a bed to prevent him from harming himself or others. It’s a heartbreaking situation that highlights the urgent need for better mental health treatment.

Leslie Carpenter, a mental health advocate and co-founder of the Iowa Mental Health Advocacy, stresses that mental health challenges are often misunderstood. “Psychosis is when someone has lost touch with reality,” she explains, drawing from her personal experience of having a son with schizophrenia. Carpenter believes that many people only learn about mental illness when it touches their lives.

Untreated psychosis can lead to more severe complications. “It causes brain damage and makes the illness harder to treat,” Carpenter warns. A search warrant shows that Ezekiel was experiencing a prolonged episode of hallucinations and delusions before his death. His family’s decision to restrain him rather than seek help raises questions about the stigmas surrounding mental health in some cultures. Many people may not recognize mental illness, seeing it instead as a sign of possession or weakness.

Carpenter argues that society needs to shift its perspective on mental health crises. “If we treated people in psychosis the same way we treat stroke patients, we would get them immediate care and provide long-term rehabilitation,” she says. Immediate intervention can make a significant difference.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s crucial to act quickly. In the U.S., you can dial 9-8-8 for help, or reach out to a crisis intervention team by calling 9-1-1. Carpenter recommends contacting mental health organizations for guidance as well.

In Eastern Iowa, there are various resources available:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness – Linn County
• Treatment Advocacy Center
• GuideLink Center
• Linn County Mental Health Access Center
• Iowa Office of Recovery Services

Understanding mental health is crucial for the well-being of individuals and families alike. With the right information and resources, we can help prevent tragedies like Ezekiel’s.

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