PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Family members are calling for greater mental health awareness after a 58-year-old relative spent more than 40 hours atop a historic radio tower before climbing down Wednesday morning.

The man's cousin, Jasmine Mayfield, said he has struggled with mental health issues for 10 years and expressed concern about how the incident was received on social media.

The incident began Monday and drew crowds of onlookers and first responders to the site. At one point, firefighters used a ladder truck to attempt communication with the man as he moved up and down the tower.

"He came down this morning after speaking with an officer and we've since taken him to the hospital to check on his health," said Timothy Duriso, Chief of the Port Arthur Police Department.

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