About the series

In the first installment of this serial narrative (Houston Chronicle, May 9, 2016), staff writer Emily Foxhall begins her account of Shelia Muldrow’s epic struggle to get help for her mentally ill son, Warren, 22, bipolar and drugabusing, who has been in and out of hospitals, and on and off the streets, for years.

The action takes place in early May as he is sentenced to three years probation for making a “terroristic threat” last fall during an apparent psychotic episode. His mother hoped a court-ordered evaluation and treatment regime would finally provide him with the care he’s needed for so long.

But Warren never met with his probation officer and, as the past month has gone by, his dangerous conduct continued. In today’s installment, Shelia decides to file the paperwork to have her son involuntarily committed, hoping 48 hours in a mental hospital will bring stabilization and the start of treatment.

Warren’s hospitalization gives Shelia reason for hope, but she’s been here many times before.

Look for the next chapter in the days ahead as Foxhall reports this a real-time narrative sure to resonate with families struggling with mental illness.