Don's Latest Articles
Did self-interest kill Colorado mental health reform?
Ten years ago, an effort to transform Colorado's mental health system was beaten back. A collaborative investigation explores how. A new report questions how much benefit people really get from antidepressants. Plus, a look at the history of harm reduction efforts.
The war on school mental health
Sham "grassroots" groups are targeting social emotional learning, a science-based approach that finds kids learn better when they feel safe, valued, and connected. Plus, a dangerous successor to illicit fentanyl.
Doctors with autism
Autistic doctors wrote about their experiences. Canada is trying to set the rules for assisted suicide for people with “irremediable” mental illness. It's controversial. And the benefits of problem-solving courts.
On Black joy, person-centered therapy, and more
"There's an innate understanding that Black joy, and not just Black trauma, is our inheritance." –Courtney Wise on the book Black Joy
High Noon for Librarians
Book banning campaigns, threats, and harassment have undermined many librarians' mental health. But they are still standing up for the freedom to read.
New Ruling Undermines Battle to Require Parity in Insurance Coverage for Mental Health
The ruling is a major blow to efforts to require health insurers to cover care for mental health and substance use treatment in ways that are broadly equivalent to that for medical care.
TikTok’s obsession with narcissism
Narcissism is breaking out on TikTok and other social media channels (think: billions of views). A bipartisan bill proposed in Congress could help build a comprehensive crisis care system around the coming 988 mental health hotline.
A pep talk from kindergarteners
A wonderful new "hotline" offer a pick-me-up from kindergarteners. Worries about the rollout of 988 crisis hotline. Plus songs that get us through the toughest of times.
What makes Putin so callous?
Two new TV series look at mentally ill characters. State attorneys general launch TikTok investigations. A writer examines Vladimir Putin’s childhood and finds lots of adversity. A children’s book looks at climate change.
Rocks that inspire, offering beauty and hope
As images of war in Ukraine dominate news, today’s newsletter offers perspectives on anxiety and how to minimize it. Plus an inspiring walk among hand-painted rocks in New Zealand.
Finding solace in play
An exhausted human rights investigator finds joy by channeling her passion for justice into play. Lobbyists flock to Capitol Hill to battle parity in mental health insurance. Plus: Farmers and mental health and the death of a ballerina.
One family’s struggle for parity
A MindSite News exclusive on the accelerating fight for health insurance parity – and one family’s experience trying to get help for their son. Also: prescribing nature and the tragic failings of a broken system.
A Family’s Struggle to Care for Son’s Autism Reveals Gaps in Mental Health Parity Laws
Inferior insurance coverage for behavioral health has persisted for decades. The Kumar family learned about it the hard way when they tried to get their insurer to cover autism therapy for their son.
With New Report, Biden Administration Takes on Insurers Over Mental Health Failings
The Biden administration unleashed an aggressive opening salvo Tuesday in what it pledges will be a sustained effort to compel U.S. health insurers to pay for mental health services on par with the way they cover physical health care.
Biden Administration Taking Aggressive Steps to Enforce 25-Year-Old Mental Health Parity Law
The Biden administration is expected to announce Tuesday stepped-up enforcement of so-called mental health parity laws requiring health insurers to cover mental illness on the same basis as medical and surgical needs, the most aggressive intervention yet by the federal government.
“There’s two different Americas in mental health”
The year athletes ho went public about their mental health. The battle to address despair and mental illness in South Los Angeles. And an English teen makes personalized mental health care packages (like one containing toothpaste for a girl who’d lost the motivation to brush).
Getting help in the military about to become easier
A coming law promises change in military culture around mental health.
