Author Archive
We Lost Our Son to Suicide. Here's How We Survived
The New York Times By Julie Halpert Jan 30, 2020 I tried many of the supports available to help parents heal, like therapy, support groups, exercise and finding a way to honor our son’s memory. On Sept. 7, 2017, my 31st wedding anniversary, a date marked by happy memories turned tragic. That was when I... read more
Diagnosed with dementia, she documented her wishes for the end. Then her retirement home said no.
The Washington Post By JoNel Aleccia Jan 18, 2020 When she worked on the trading floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange, long before cellphone calculators, Susan Saran could perform complex math problems in her head. Years later, as one of its top regulators, she was in charge of investigating insider trading deals. Today, she... read more
What Schizophrenia Does to Families
The Washington Post Magazine A mother, a son, an unraveling mind — and a mental health system that can’t keep up By Abigail Jones January 13, 2020 Alissa Dumsch flips through her high school yearbook, pausing on a photo of a hulking young man with sandy hair and a chiseled... read more
Shooting victims have increased risk of mental harm long after physical injuries have healed, study finds
The Washington Post By William Wan November 20, 2019 Even when physical injuries are minor, gun victims face unemployment, substance abuse, PTSD and more Years after being shot, a large proportion of gun victims continue to suffer from increased unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder, a new study shows,... read more
Getting a Handle on Self-Harm
The New York Times By Benedict Carey Nov 11, 2019 Cutting and other forms of self-injury are on the rise among adolescents. Researchers are beginning to understand the phenomenon, and how to treat it. The sensations surged up from somewhere inside, like poison through a syringe: a mix of sadness, anxiety,... read more
These homes keep L.A.'s most vulnerable from becoming homeless. Now they're closing
Los Angeles Times By Doug Smith Nov 6, 2019 The news came in September: Long Beach Residential, a 49-bed home for adults who are mentally ill, was being sold. The residents of the converted apartment building, some of whom had lived there for decades, would have 60 days to... read more
Exhibit explores Carlsbad artist's life with schizophrenia
The San Diego Union Tribune By Pam Kragen Nov 3, 2019 On Nov. 3 at the Vista library, a 50-piece art exhibit will go on display. The watercolors and drawings by Dan Kasperick include still lifes, landscapes, fall leaves, scarecrows, snowmen, sailboats and more. But mixed in with colorful scenes... read more
Los Angeles Times By Christi Carras | Staff Writer | Oct 23, 2019 |10:27 AM Lady Gaga “went through a lot of difficult times,” says her mother.(Michele Crowe / CBS via Getty Images) Lady Gaga has been an outspoken celebrity advocate for mental health, inspiring fans with her journey from bullied child to award-winning global... read more
Cannabinoids for Psychiatric Disorders? Evidence of Effectiveness is Lacking, Report Concludes
American Psychiatric Association Tues, Oct 29, 2019 There is little evidence that the use of cannabinoids can improve symptoms of anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychosis, or Tourette syndrome, according to a report in Lancet Psychiatry. “Cannabinoids are often advocated as a treatment for various mental disorders,” wrote Nicola Black,... read more
Americans increasingly fear violence from people who are mentally ill. They shouldn't
Los Angeles Times By Melissa Healy Oct 10, 2019 Political rhetoric that blames people with mental illness for spasms of mass violence appears to be seeping into the national psyche. Americans increasingly see people with schizophrenia or major depression as a threat not only to themselves but to others, new research reveals.... read more