I was thinking about 2009 and hoping that it’s a better year for our nation’s economy. I sincerely hope it’s a better year for ALL of us.
As I was thinking about that, a song came to mind that is actually a Christmas song of sorts, but it ought to be played throughout the year.
I want [...]
My New Year’s Wish To You
Family Behavior Key to Health of Gay Youth
My daughter is a senior at Georgia State University, where she is majoring in sociology. Her focus is on women’s studies, and she plans to pursue advanced degrees in that area.
Through her, I have become more aware of issues faced by gay people. I’ve also joined an organization active in securing the rights of gay, [...]
Balancing Punishment & Treatment When Crimes Are Committed
This article comes from the Seattlepi news website. It was written by reporter Carol Smith.
BALANCING PUNISHMENT AND TREATMENT WHEN CRIMES ARE COMMITTED
For a while, Nick Monostory and Thomas Gergen were next-door neighbors at Western State Hospital’s ward for the criminally insane. Though they shared a hallway, and similar diagnoses, they experienced vastly different fates in [...]
We Need Your Donation
As the calendar year comes to a close, I want to remind you that Mental Health America of Northeast Georgia needs your financial support. Make that donation now and take the deduction on your 2008 income taxes.
We’re involved in three major activities.
We advocate. Your financial support helps us communicate with legislators and promote change to [...]
Are You Crazy? Which news story made you question the sanity of a public figure in 2008?
We’re nearing the end of the year, prompting many folk to look back at 2008 and the many events that transpired.
I like to remind people that there is a difference between bad judgement and mental illness. Still, when a public figure does something so inappropriate, we often look at the person and wonder, “Are you [...]
Blue Christmas: The Signs of Elderly Holiday Depression
This article comes from the website Medical News Today (www.medicalnewstoday.com). Visit their website for further information.
So you’re heading home to see Mom and Dad this holiday season – or maybe Aunt Sue or Grandpa George. If you’re like many Americans, it may have been weeks, months or even years since you’ve seen them last. And [...]
In Response to B. J. Walker’s Editorial
I received the following reply after I posted the editorial by Georgia Department of Human Resources Director B. J. Walker:
Ms. Walker’s editorial, in my opinion, leaves out some necessary information. First, there ARE already private psychiatric hospitals in Georgia. The problem is that they refuse to take many of our clients who need hospitalization. Will [...]
Holiday Blues
Interestingly, I find myself suffering from the holiday blues this week. I suffer from depression and take medication to help with it. I like to say that I make it thanks to “Paxil, prayer and therapy.”
I haven’t been in therapy for a several years now. I am afraid my spiritual life is currently limited to [...]
Feeling Lousy?
The weather here has taken a significant turn for the even worse. Last week, we had a couple of rainy, 70 degree days. This week, it’s freezing and the forecast is for rain to return Wednesday.
The weather seems to be taking its toll on emotions around here, prompting me to look up “Seasonal Affective Disorder” [...]
A Different View on Privatizing Georgia’s Mental Hospitals
The following was written by Thomas Bornemann,director of the mental health program at The Carter Center:
Georgia continues to experience the effects of a mental health system that is tragically broken. Georgia Department of Human Resources’ (DHR) has responded with some new proposals, one of which is privatizing and downsizing state mental hospitals.
In their 2007 series [...]
