Crises: Tristan Wagner, Bipolar Disorder

My brother Tristan Wagner is in jail. Tristan suffers from bipolar disorder. This is a genetic disease and not his fault. That being said, my brother got off his medications in mid-summer and has been in a mania-induced tailspin since then. Things could be worse, but they’re quite bad now— Tristan is charged with second-degree felony arson and third-degree criminal mischief. He tried to burn down the neighbor’s house, thought they were doing something immoral. The whole thing is on film, mother and child were inside, terrified. When the cops showed up, Tristan was dismissive, but not violent. Charges of arson contain the possibility of serving real time. Tristan still will not take meds, although at some point the jail will move him to the hospital and he’ll be medicated then.

Part of the challenge of mental health is that it is stigmatized in our society. My brother was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder and survived his first manic episode in 2011. He was 28 years old and is 40 now. This disease has cost him his profession, he is trained as a geologist and holds a BS in that field from UAF, though to his credit he has held multiple jobs since. Tristan is a deeply moral person, an amazing worker and very bright.

The legal code makes it next to impossible for someone in a manic stage to get medical help against their will. That is, until they’re harming themselves or others. And as most likely know, manic people feel great, godlike even, but are unreasonable and not self-aware. The dark depths of depression and accompanying thoughts of suicide are the clinical inverse of mania. The last thing a manic person, or at least my brother wants, is to take medicine. But it’s the only thing that helps him. We, and mostly my parents, have been dealing with this now for over ten years, with at least three significant manic events and one hospitalization. There’s no doubt what Tristan did is unacceptable. But he is unwell and our health care system is failing him.

Showing Tristan that he is not alone, and that he is part of a community filled with loving kindness, will help ground him as he returns to normal and has to grapple with his actions.

We as his family are actively seeking legal counsel. Thanks for considering donating to Tristan’s GoFundMe.