AltWeeklies Wire
How Jackson Hospital's Mental Health Unit Fails Miaminew

Many tragedies have plagued the deeply troubled unit of the nation's third-largest public hospital. After an exhaustive review, New Times has uncovered the following: rushed patient releases, inadequate supervision, undocumented use of restraints, and possible civil rights violations.
Miami New Times |
Natalie O'Neill |
06-22-2009 |
Science
"He Just Went Off"new
On Jan. 26, Osman Abdullahi was killed by police after attacking a fellow resident at a group home for the mentally ill in Washington, D.C. The question no one can answer: What was he doing there to begin with?
Washington City Paper |
Jason Cherkis |
02-12-2009 |
Crime & Justice
Nate Powell on His Descent into Madnessnew
Powell has long used mental illness as an artistic muse. His new graphic novel Swallow Me Whole has a story line that's entirely inside the main character's head, with no explanation of what she is thinking.
East Bay Express |
Rachel Swan |
10-29-2008 |
Author Profiles & Interviews
David Lovelace Didn't Pick His Disease but He Writes About it Wellnew

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his late teens, Lovelace initially resisted prescription drugs, wary as he was of the vicious side-effects that plagued his father. In lieu of legally sanctioned treatment, the author embarked on a roller-coaster of self-medication, ingesting large quantities of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and various hallucinogens.
Charleston City Paper |
Eric Liebetrau |
09-17-2008 |
Nonfiction
Gone to Hell: Mental Illness and Harris County Jailnew
Even though Alexander Hatcher is bipolar and schizophrenic, he wasn't given his meds for his first three months in jail. He got in fights with the guards. Now he's sentenced to prison for a long, long time.
Houston Press |
Paul Knight |
08-26-2008 |
Crime & Justice
State House Sex Scandal Reveals Pitfalls of Reporting on Mental Illnessnew
While the Boston press clearly thinks Jim Marzilli's mental condition is newsworthy, the question of why it's important -- and how it should be covered -- has remained unanswered.
Boston Phoenix |
Adam Reilly |
07-31-2008 |
Media
Gun Law Loopholes Render Gun Control Pointless in Many Statesnew
Idaho is one of them. The state has no idea how many mentally ill are out there armed.
Boise Weekly |
Nathaniel Hoffman |
07-22-2008 |
Crime & Justice
What's Being Done, or Left Undone, When Soldiers Come Home with Problems?new
Hundreds of local soldiers are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them on extended tours and second or third deployments. The longer the wars continue, the higher the probability of more cases like Matthew Sepi's.
Las Vegas Weekly |
Damon Hodge |
07-07-2008 |
War
Tags: Iraq, PTSD, veterans, Afghanistan, murder, mental illness, war & peace, combat trauma, Matthew Sepi
What Happens to the Mentally Ill in the Justice System is Just Crazynew
In Colorado, gaping holes in the so-called safety net have made police, courts and emergency rooms the first and last line of contact with people who may be a danger to themselves or others. Too often, the care they receive is perfunctory -- a 72-hour crisis hold, a few pills, a referral to a mental-health center -- with little or no followup.
Westword |
Alan Prendergast |
06-02-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Mental Anguish at Texas West Oaks Hospitalnew
Go to this private psychiatric facility, and you might be helped. Or you might be shut in a room all alone and end up like Amanda, with a broken arm. Or dead.
Houston Press |
Margaret Downing |
05-13-2008 |
Science
The Sad Irony of Washington's Mental Health Systemnew
Only by killing Michael Robb did Samson Berhe finally become subject to the mental health treatment he has seemingly needed for years.
Seattle Weekly |
Laura Onstot |
05-05-2008 |
Science
Portland to Get Pilot Mental Health Courtnew
Three qualified mental health professionals will work with a dedicated judge, with a goal of hooking mentally ill people up with medication and counseling instead of prosecuting them for low-level crimes.
The Portland Mercury |
Matt Davis |
05-01-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Too Dumb to Dienew
Kevin Moore's case raises questions about executing the mentally disabled.
New Times Broward-Palm Beach |
Trevor Aaronson |
04-21-2008 |
Crime & Justice
Against All Oddsnew
A group of unsupervised mental patients running from Katrina made it from New Orleans to Houston. What happens next?
Houston Press |
Todd Spivak |
11-07-2005 |
Disasters
Sickness in Jail Can Be a Death Sentencenew
An inmate at the Dallas County Jail who was diagnosed with schizophrenia hung himself; his body showed no traces of the medication he was supposed to be taking to control his disease.
Dallas Observer |
Matt Pulle |
09-19-2005 |
Crime & Justice