I was going to write a post about mental health and gun control, but I see that Hillary Clinton just came out with a plan, so I’m going to talk about that as well. First, the Clinton plan: Fight for comprehensive background checks. Advocate for comprehensive federal background check legislation. Close the “Charleston Loophole.” Tighten the gun show and Internet … Read More
Don’t Call ‘Em Crazy
I really have a problem with the second-day opinion that the Charleston shooter was “mentally ill” or “disturbed”. 99% of the time, the person offering that assessment isn’t at all a qualified doctor, and 100% of the time, he hasn’t examined the shooter. There’s a ridiculous circular logic that the shooter’s actions explain his mental state, and his mental state … Read More
Shooting The Mentally Ill
I’ve written about this before — the propensity of the police to open fire on people they know to be mentally ill. Like their current problem with minorities, members of law enforcement seem to have a problem with showing restraint when it comes to the mentally ill. Earlier this week, the US Supreme Court had occasion to address this issue, … Read More
National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
This year, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day will address the needs of children, youth, and young adults with mental health or mental health and substance use challenges and their families. Find out what you can do.
CIA to Carrie Matheson: “Good Riddance”
So, this happened: Good Riddance, Carrie Mathison http://t.co/6zNSBK89Eo — CIA (@CIA) April 5, 2015 That’s an official tweet from the official Central Intelligence Agency to a fictional character — Carrie Mathison of the Showtime series, Homeland. Next season, Carrie will no longer be working for the CIA. The CIA tweet references a Sunday New York Times op-ed by Maureen Dowd which … Read More
Today Is World Bipolar Day
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 450 million people globally with mental illness; of that number, 5 percent are labeled bipolar, which is three times all cases of diabetes and 10 times all the cases of cancer. Bipolar is the sixth leading cause of disability, according to WHO. “Bipolar Disorder is a mental illness that represents a … Read More
Don’t Blame Depression
This is in Forbes, so I don’t have to write it: You saw a depressed person today. Probably dozens or hundreds of them. They drive cars. They perform surgery. They fly planes — and safely land them. Of course, that’s been frequently forgotten since last week’s devastating Germanwings tragedy. Many pundits quickly blamed the horrific plane crash on depression, noting … Read More
War On The Mentally Ill
As if having bipolar disorder isn’t difficult enough, you now risk being a target for overzealous cops. Last Thursday, a 16 year old girl with a knife was shot by three cops in the lobby of the police station: When Officers arrived they were confronted by a white female who threatened them. The suspect brandished a weapon, made threatening movements toward … Read More
A Transgender Suicide
A transgender teenage girl, Leelah Alcorn, died of suicide yesterday by jumping in front of a semi on I-71 near the South Lebanon, Ohio exit. She left a note on her Tumblr: If you are reading this, it means that I have committed suicide and obviously failed to delete this post from my queue. Please don’t be sad, it’s for … Read More
Giving Tuesday
I remember when it was just Black Friday. Then came Cyber Monday. Now they’ve added Giving Tuesday. Okay. But that’s all, okay? Anyway, since Giving Tuesday is a thing now, let me make a pitch. I got heavily interested and involved in the mental health area when my (now ex-)girlfriend was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder and depression affects … Read More
Suicide – Brave Or Cowardly?
A person from my past had issues. She was diagnosed with Bipolar I, which they don't diagnose unless you have psychotic episodes, which she claimed to have had. I never witnessed any (I don't think); in fact, what I witnessed mostly was the depressive side of her bipolarity, which included a suicide attempt or two. In that depressive state, we would … Read More
RIP Robin Williams
The mental illness of depression claims another. The irony of someone so gifted in humor could be felled by depression. This is how I'll remember him: As for the nature of his death, let me borrow the thoughts of another blogger on what suicide isn't: But I felt compelled to write this article because like any mental illness-related accident … Read More
A Response To A Bipolar Mind
You write: Okay. Good questions. Here are some answers. Why do these people who love me think I do these things on purpose? There are people who love you who don't understand your illness, or don't even know you have an illness. Yes, those people think you are doing it on purpose. But then there are people who … Read More
First Thoughts On Homeland, Season 3
Showtime's Homeland may have achieved some sort of record for greatest fall from grace for a TV series. The first season may have been the best-crafted season of any television drama (although Breaking Bad's season four gives it a run for its money). You had Sergeant Nicholas Brody, a returning war vet and terrorist, and the only person who thought he was … Read More