Recent posts
Bruce Springsteen, Kid Cudi and others shed light on depression
by Libby Hill Los Angeles Times October 10, 2016 From stars talking about their own struggles with mental health to TV shows and films dealing frankly with disorders such as depression, it seems that pop culture is actively engaging in the messy realities of psychological problems. In the past, mental disorders were often depicted... read more
A Single Concussion May Have Lasting Impact
By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS New York Times OCT. 5, 2016 A single concussion experienced by a child or teenager may have lasting repercussions on mental health and intellectual and physical functioning throughout adulthood, and multiple head injuries increase the risks of later problems, according to one of the largest, most elaborate studies to date of... read more
National Suicide Prevention Week
Today marks the start of National Suicide Prevention Week. Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and the second leading cause among 15- to 34-year-olds. Although not all suicides are preventable, treatment and support can save lives. For more information, go to www.afsp.org and https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml If you know someone in... read more
Four years ago, Devan Fuentes, 23, was hospitalized with psychotic symptoms after months of heavy marijuana use. He believes pot exacerbated an underlying disorder; mental health experts caution that daily frequent pot use is not healthful for developing brains. (Robin Abcarian / Los Angeles Times) Robin Abcarian Los Angeles Times September 2, 2016 ... read more
On July 6th, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646). The American Psychiatric Association along with other organizations, worked with the House to ensure this bill would pass through the House advocating for improved mental health services for our country. The bill calls for restructuring of... read more
Senate Passes Addiction Treatment Legislation
July 15, 2016 Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed, by a vote of 92 to 2, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), a significant first step in addressing the nation’s opioid crisis. The Senate’s action on a conference committee report follows that of the House, which voted to adopt the report last week (407 to... read more
The nation is in terrible turmoil following the fatal police shootings in Baton Rouge, La., and St. Paul, Minn., and last week’s deadly attack on police officers in Dallas. I share the intense feelings our patients and our members are experiencing right now. We offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims of violence.... read more
Research Traces Link Between Combat Blasts and PTSD
By ALAN SCHWARZ New York Times JUNE 9, 2016 They are among war’s invisible wounds: the emotional and cognitive problems that many troops experience years after combat explosions sent huge shock waves through their brains. Whereas the link between concussions and post-traumatic stress disorder has become clearer in recent years, a specific connection between... read more
by Joshua Stewart June 25, 2016 San Diego County is moving forward with a new program that will provide long-term housing and care to as many as 1,250 mentally ill homeless people in the next two years. “These are the people who have basically lost the struggle with behavioral health issues and are about as... read more
Mentally ill inmates are swamping the state's prisons and jails. Here's one man's story.
by Abby Sewell Los Angeles Times June 19, 2016 Reginald Murray sat next to his mother for the first time in more than a year, under the alternately bored and watchful eyes of the guards in the visitors’ room at Atascadero State Hospital. He teased his mother about her weight; she teased her son about... read more