Mental Illness

The Ft. Hood Massacre: A Lone-Wolf Jihad of One?

Brian Levin, J.D. | Posted 11.08.2009 | Politics


Brian Levin, J.D.

The horrific shooting at Fort Hood, allegedly by Nidal Malik Hasan, a disgruntled yet devout Army psychiatrist, puts the spotlight back on the lone-wolf offender who sits at the crossroads of crime, terrorism and mental distress.

The Mass Production of Mental Illness and What To Do About It

Anis Shivani | Posted 11.05.2009 | Books


Anis Shivani

Dr. Richard P. Bentall, professor and practitioner of clinical psychology in Britain, exposes the highly dubious nature of reigning presumptions about the causes and treatment of mental illness.

FDA Considers Caving to Scientology and Making Mental Illness Treatment Illegal

DJ Jaffe | Posted 11.05.2009 | Living


DJ Jaffe

As far-fetched as it sounds, the FDA is considering making it more difficult to treat depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and psychosis.

Is There A Relationship Between Mental Illness And Violence?

Lloyd I. Sederer, MD | Posted 10.29.2009 | Living


Lloyd I. Sederer, MD

Incidents such as this one, while infrequent, are sensational and spread like a viral communication that raises the spectre of dangerous "mental patients" lurking and endangering us all.

Eric Millegan on Living (and Acting) with Bipolar Disorder: Part 2

Jamie Frevele | Posted 10.30.2009 | Living


Jamie Frevele

If you know people who are suicidal, or if you know people who are bipolar, depressed, have panic attack disorder, just be there for them. They're going through something that's very, very hard.

Eric Millegan on Living (and Acting) with Bipolar Disorder: Part 1

Jamie Frevele | Posted 10.28.2009 | Living


Jamie Frevele

Mental illness is one of the most frightening things that can happen to a human being. It's like fighting an invisible war. Not imaginary -- invisible.

Will the Chinese Courts Allow Another Mentally Ill Individual Be Executed?

Elizabeth Lynch | Posted 10.26.2009 | World


Elizabeth Lynch

The true test of a society's criminal justice system is how well it protects society's most vulnerable.

Mental Illness: The Stigma of Silence

Glenn Close | Posted 10.21.2009 | Living


Glenn Close

It is an odd paradox that a society, which can now speak openly and unabashedly about topics that were once unspeakable, still remains largely silent when it comes to mental illness.

Moving Forward on Tax Reform

Joel Judd | Posted 10.20.2009 | Denver


Joel Judd

"No proof, no money" is the rule for social services in Colorado. That rule is what I am hoping the legislature will apply to tax credits and other tax incentives.

Meds can Reduce Homelessness but the Homeless (and Advocates) Don't Get It.

DJ Jaffe | Posted 10.21.2009 | Impact


DJ Jaffe

It's time for advocates to stop denying the role of untreated mental illness in causing homelessness. Treatment may not be a magic pill, but it's the closest thing we have.

NYC's Record Homeless Shelter Population and How to Tackle the Crisis

Mary Brosnahan | Posted 10.19.2009 | New York


Mary Brosnahan

Compared to 2002, 45% more New Yorkers are sleeping in municipal homeless shelters each year. Homelessness is rising -- so change the city's policy.

Supportive Housing can end Institutionalization and Homelessness

Deborah De Santis | Posted 10.21.2009 | Impact


Deborah De Santis

Supportive housing, which is integrated housing and services, is one of the most significant public policy developments, shifting from temporary crisis services to one that seeks to permanently end homelessness.

Elyn Saks: Recovery Of A Genius

Robert David Jaffee | Posted 10.19.2009 | Living


Robert David Jaffee

The vast majority of psychotics are never a threat to anyone but themselves. Those with severe mental illness but no substance abuse problems commit only 3 to 4% of violent crime.

First Lady Stresses Small Steps To Improve Mental Health

Posted 10.13.2009 | Living


First Lady Michelle Obama is stressing small changes in diet and exercise habits as a good way to improve health and fitness....

Depression Alert: Reading This Post May Just Help Save a Life

Chloe Spencer | Posted 10.06.2009 | Living


Chloe Spencer

Be aware of all your friends and family, because they may be suffering from severe depression, and it's just bottled up inside them and invisible to others.

Mental Illness Awareness Week Is Nothing to Celebrate -- In Fact, It Doesn't Even Exist

DJ Jaffe | Posted 10.06.2009 | Living


DJ Jaffe

Right now, well meaning mental health advocates are busy hosting events to reduce the "stigma" of mental illness. Except that there is no 'stigma' to having a mental illness. There is discrimination.

N.F.L. Players' Dementia: Higher Rate Of Dementia In Former Athletes, Study Finds

nytimes.com | ALAN SCHWARZ | Posted 09.29.2009 | Living


A study commissioned by the National Football League reports that Alzheimer's disease or similar memory-related diseases appear to have been diagnosed...

Lies and Lying Liars Hurt the Mentally Ill

Robert David Jaffee | Posted 09.29.2009 | Living


Robert David Jaffee

As much as TV pundits damage the cause of the mentally ill by often ascribing mass murders to "psychotics," as opposed to psychopaths, they are not alone in perpetuating stigma.

Uighur Brothers: Detainee Declines Offer To Leave Guantanamo Out Of Loyalty To Ailing Brother (VIDEO)

The Huffington Post | Posted 09.28.2009 | World


After eight years of detention, at least one Guantanamo Bay detainee declined an offer to resettle to the Pacific Island of Palau, according to The Wa...

Health Care Reform Keeps Mentally Ill Uninsured

DJ Jaffe | Posted 09.24.2009 | Politics


DJ Jaffe

The largest and neediest group of uninsured Americans could very well be those with mental illness. If Obama really believes in equal health care for all, he should bring this population into the health reform fold.

Psychopaths, Not Psychotics, Part II

Robert David Jaffee | Posted 09.22.2009 | Living


Robert David Jaffee

Many studies have revealed that when the seriously mentally ill take their medication, they are no more of a threat to anyone than the non-mentally ill.

The Criminalization Of Mental Illness (VIDEO)

Posted 09.17.2009 | Living


In a new report, Al Jazeera English takes a look at just why people with mental health problems make up half the population of U.S. jails and prisons....

The Private Measure of Self: A Crucial Part of Ted Kennedy's Legacy

Kathleen Reardon | Posted 09.29.2009 | Living


Kathleen Reardon

You don't have to be a lover of history as Kennedy was to learn, as he did, that your own history is worth study. To not know it is to assure repetition of its less admirable parts.

Yoga Therapy Integrates The Mind And Body

Times Online | Claire Coleman | Posted 09.11.2009 | Living


For years, yoga devotees have been telling us that bending and twisting our limbs into gravity-defying contortions is a great way to develop the perfe...

Boy Interrupted: Interview with Filmmaker Dana Perry

Regina Weinreich | Posted 09.03.2009 | Entertainment


Regina Weinreich

The documentary film Boy Interrupted not only tells the story of a 15-year-old's death by suicide, but it also tells the story of a mother's anguish dealing with her son's lifelong disease of bipolar mental disorder.