Melissa Fulfer shared her family’s struggles with mental illness because she wants to help others in similar circumstances.

Specifically, Fulfer, of Baker City, wants to avoid potential tragedies by helping police recognize, while responding to a call, when the person they confront might need medical attention but does not pose a physical threat.

Her idea is a good one.

Fulfer’s 20-year-old son, Joshua, has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Joshua, who was arrested in Baker City in July 2021 on theft and assault charges, spent several months in the Baker County Jail. Melissa said his mental condition deteriorated dramatically during that time. In December 2021 he was transferred to the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, where he remained until March 2023, when he returned to his parents’ home in Baker City. Judge Matt Shirtcliff recently dismissed the criminal charges, concluding Joshua is not able to assist in his defense.

Melissa said that although Joshua has improved since returning to Baker City, he continues to take multiple medications. One is a monthly injection, and after each of two doses earlier this year, Melissa said Joshua called 911 from his cellphone.

In one incident, when a Baker City police officer arrived to investigate, Joshua allegedly bumped an officer. Although Joshua was initially taken to the Baker County Jail, he was later treated at the hospital. No charges have been filed.

The incident, combined with Melissa’s discussions with a local woman whose son also was diagnosed with schizophrenia, prompted Melissa to suggest that families who are willing to share information should notify police about local residents who are being treated for schizophrenia or other mental issues.

The idea, Melissa said, is to give police officers more information before they arrive at a call.

If officers knew, for instance, while responding to a 911 call at the Fulfers’ home, that Joshua is being treated for schizophrenia, they might take a different approach than they would if they didn’t know about his condition.

Baker City Police Chief Ty Duby agreed that, all else being equal, he would prefer that officers have as much information as possible about the people they deal with before they arrive. And although police have basic training in mental health disorders, Duby said police sometimes are summoned to an incident for which mental health experts are better suited than police.

This isn’t to suggest that police won’t respond to all calls, or that they shouldn’t do so.

Nor is it true that people with mental issues never pose a danger to themselves or to others.

But it benefits neither the police nor the public when an incident escalates, potentially to the point that both officers and citizens are in danger, in part because an officer is unaware that a person’s behavior is not malicious but results from a medical condition.

Ideally, Fulfer’s bravery in talking about an intensely personal situation will spur conversations between the public and the police that are mutually beneficial.