Mental Illness

Author Sheds Light On Realities Of Mental Illness

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:10:46 +0000

When Alex McKeithen was a junior at Davidson College in the late '80s, his life changed. He was visiting Paris and studying art when one day he found himself stripping naked in public and proclaiming himself the seventh angel of the apocalypse. It was the beginning of an undiagnosed episode of bipolar disorder, and that experience is the focus of his memoir, "The Seventh Angel" (Lorimer Press/2012).

Can Yoga Help Mental Illness?

Catherine Brand — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 22:12:31 +0000

Treatment for mental illness that is safe, healthy, and not too expensive can be hard to find. But new research from Duke University suggests that yoga might be effective in treating certain psychiatric symptoms.

DSM-V

Frank Stasio and Alex Granados — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000

The bible of the psychiatric community is undergoing a major revision. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness or DSM has just approved its fifth revision. The DSM-V includes big changes to certain categories, including depression, dementia and autism. Some say the changes go too far.

Group Home Funding May Run Out

Isaac-Davy Aronson — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 12:55:00 +0000

About 2,000 people with severe mental illness are facing eviction from group homes at the end of the year.

Report: State Failing Kids with Multiple Disabilities

Isaac-Davy Aronson — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:35:00 +0000

A new study by Disability Rights North Carolina says the state is failing disabled children with complex treatment needs. Vicki Smith is the advocacy group's executive director. She says the state isn't following its own guidelines for treating children with both a mental illness and developmental disability.

Vicki Smith: These are kids, so there should be really good robust cooperation and collaboration between education and mental health and social services, because we have to treat the whole child.

Simplifying the Search for Hospital Beds

Will Michaels — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:10:00 +0000

Hospitals in eastern North Carolina are now using an online message board that lists beds available for patients with mental illnesses or substance abuse problems. Sixteen facilities are using the pilot program designed to streamline the admission process for those patients. Luckey Welsh is the director of the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities. He says patients can sometimes spend days in the Emergency Room while the hospital looks for an available bed.

How to Create Better Housing for People with Mental Health Disabilities

Rose Hoban — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:00:00 +0000

In the last 10 years, multiple studies have concluded that housing people with mental health disabilities in adult and family care homes is not the best plan for them. Each study has recommended phasing out use of the homes and improving the system. Despite that, the number of homes has increased along with the number of adults with mental illness who live in them.

Roadblocks for Housing for People with Mental Health Disabilities

Rose Hoban — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:00:00 +0000

For people with mental health disabilities, housing’s an intensely personal issue. Many want to live independently, some want to live with others. But mostly, what folks with mental health problems say they want is some choice in the matter. But housing is a political and economic issue too. Many factors prevent people with mental health disabilities from getting the housing they want… and need.

Tennessee Finds Ways To House People With Mental Health Disabilities

Rose Hoban — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Around the country, advocates have come to realize that one of the most important services for people with mental health disabilities is housing – and that most people with disabilities are able to live independently with some help. States have tried many strategies to create suitable housing options. Tennessee dedicates a small amount of state money every year to local groups that succeed pretty well.