As I read Diana Hefley’s piece, “What Jail Can’t Cure,” in Sunday’s Herald, I was moved to tears. While I knew the general story behind the tragic passing of Keaton Farris, I had no idea of the long list of system failures that ultimately lead to his death. How in the world can this happen? There are so many questions and the answers often just don’t make sense or reflect where we should be as a society. Fundamentally, how is it that someone is jailed for a such a minor offense? More important, why would someone clearly displaying the symptoms of mental illness be jailed? Imprisonment of someone with a biologically based brain disorder just doesn’t make sense and is universally devastating for the individual. Where is the compassion, where is the understanding?

When Keaton’s aunt contacted the National Alliance on Mental Illness Snohomish County, she asked, “What do we need to do so this type of thing never happens again?” I immediately felt that however I responded, that it would be lame and inadequate and fall short of providing her with what she so desperately wanted and needed to hear. I told her of hope and shared how similar pain and loss had eventually led to successful outcomes at the Snohomish County Jail and that there is no reason why that can’t happen at Island County as well.

I told Keaton’s aunt to tell the story, tell it to anyone who will listen. I told her to tell it locally, tell it regionally, tell it nationally! We are thankful to Diana Hefley and The Herald for dedicating the time and space to lay it all out there and shine a bright light on this tragedy. The first step in creating change is raising awareness. When people become aware of such atrocities, we can begin to educate and advocate for better treatment for those who are the most vulnerable in our society. It is obvious from the Herald article that Keaton’s life was profoundly meaningful; but what do we do with his death? It’s up to all of us.

Keith Binkley

President, National Alliance on Mental Illness

Everett