Pete Earley

Watching four of my grandchildren at the beach. These are the moments that matter.

(9-5-26) Today I Turn 75

I have reached an age when I am supposed to have figured out some important life lessons.

Much of what I have learned is what others before me already discovered. At my age, time becomes more valuable than money, assuming you have enough to live on. Being with family and friends matters more than time spent working. Experiences become more valuable than possessions.

My friends remind me that I already have outlived family members and many of my colleagues. That is true, but it does little to comfort you when you have been diagnosed with Stage Four lung cancer. All of us are on the same path, but those of us with a cancer diagnosis are perhaps more aware than others that the journey is nearing an end.

Click to continue…

((5-27-26) Mental Health Advocate Jerri Clark writes brilliantly in her new book – Gone Before Gone – about how she copes with the loss of her son, Calvin, whose serious mental illness led to arrests, homelessness and eventually suicide in 2019 at age 23.

What makes Gone Before Gone unique is her exploration of “ambiguous loss”—the grief experienced when a loved one with dementia or severe mental illness is “‘gone” but is still alive. She describes it as “death by degrees.”

She concludes that “Life’s only clarity is sheer uncertainty.”

In a positive review, Kirkus noted: “Clark offers refreshingly simple responses to platitudes about mental illness, such as a measured rebuttal to “everything happens for a reason.” Clark writes: “My son’s struggle with mental illness had no reason to it. I’m trying to find meaning in what’s left of my life, but that doesn’t mean his pain was something the world needed.”

Here are my thoughts.

Click to continue…

Kevin Earley with advocate and mother Laura Pogliano at Washington premiere hosted by TAC

(5/23/2026) My son has written a poignant review of the new documentary, No One Cares About Crazy People. Be sure to check out his blog which is posted on this webpage. Thank you!

Kevin and I spoke at a Washington D.C. mental health fundraiser – a few years ago in black tie near the White House

(1-22-26) I’m proud that my son, Kevin (known as Michael in my book), posted his first blog on this website today. Look for the tab that says: Kevin’s blog.

I’ve encouraged him to write about his mental illness, his recovery, and his work as a certified peer and recovery specialist.  I happily pass the “blog baton” to him as I continue to focus on my health and family. I will be curious to read his thoughts. I hope you will be too.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to reforming our mental health system.

Click to continue…

Celebrating with Patti

(11-21-25) My wonderful cancer doctor, Dr. Alexander Spira, with Virginia Cancer Specialists, told me this morning that a recent CT scan showed the cancer in my right lung remains in remission. It has not grown or spread!

Studies show that 60 percent of the patients taking my life-saving medication live five years of more. I am coming up on my two-year anniversary.

Being told you have Stage Four non-small cell carcinoma (BTW: I never smoked) hits you like a bucket of ice water in the face. After receiving that diagnosis, I decided to retire from writing and focus on my health, my supportive spouse Patti, our grandchildren and our family. I also began checking off adventures on a bucket list.

Click to continue…

(11-18-25) Tis the season for charitable giving so emails asking for donations are starting to appear in my inbox. Before writing checks, I like to check on the finances of mental health non-profits.

Here are snippets from four national mental health organizations: the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Mental Health America, the Treatment Advocacy Center and the Depression Bipolar Support Alliance. 

Guidestar (now called Candid) posts federal Form 990 tax reports.

It lists NAMI’s gross revenues on its 2024 tax report at $35 million with assets worth a minimum of $62.7 million.  That is tremendous growth since I first became a lifelong member of NAMI in 2006. Back then, it only reported $5.8 million in net assets and often struggled to raise funds.

Click to continue…