Scott Needs Your Help

Scott is an amazing, talented, loving person who is living with the lasting effects of Type 2 Bipolar Disorder (Bipolar II). He desperately and urgently needs our help. Bipolar II unfortunately causes mania and Scott’s recent manic episodes have landed him in a very unsafe situation in which he needs emergent treatment in a mental health facility.

Scott is a beloved teacher, wonderful friend and great community member. He was diagnosed with Bipolar II in 2006 and while he has had prolonged periods of stability, Bipolar II is unpredictable and causes periods of mania. During these periods of mania, Scott loses his ability to make rational decisions. Importantly, Scott in his manic periods is never violent, but he lacks insight in his decision-making. Unfortunately, a recent manic episode that occurred in late October 2024 resulted in Scott losing his teaching position and becoming entangled with the criminal justice system.

Scott has been in Camden County jail since October 2024. In order for him to be released from jail to receive the necessary mental health treatment he needs, Scott must secure admission to a mental health treatment center that will provide him with a minimum of 30 days of support. Significant barriers to Scott receiving treatment are that state hospitals are unwilling to screen or admit anyone from jail or have no room for Scott. We have identified a handful of smaller private mental health facilities in NJ that can provide Scott treatment, but these facilities do not accept Medicaid, Scott’s only insurance now that he lost his job. The approximate cost of private care is $1,000 per day, which is why our fundraising goal is $30,000.

Scott is unable to pay for this medical treatment as he has lost his job and he has depleted his resources to pay for his legal fees.

The conditions in jail are terrible for Scott. He has been placed in the mental health crises section of the jail, with no social interaction, no daily freedoms and lack of appropriate medical management of his needs. Getting Scott to one of these private mental health facilities will allow him to finally be released from jail, get back on his proper medication dosage and schedule, and begin to re-adjust to a more normal life.

We are desperately asking for your help to get Scott to a safe and supporting facility and a chance to get his life back on track.