Mental Health Advocacy

Lately, you may have noticed a lot of advertisements for various different medications. These advertisements are everywhere, on television, on the radio, and in the world's best selling magazines. A few have even popped up on the sides of busses and billboards alongside freeways. How do these kinds of advertisements affect the choices you and your doctor make regarding the medication you take?

May 19, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

What would you do if someone told you that you had the suicide gene? What kind of impact would it have on your life? Would you go on living like you had been in the past? Or would you be constantly shadowed by the knowledge that you might be pre-destined to kill yourself?

May 5, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

Perhaps in a society where the latest trend is to throw drugs at a person every time they have a problem, faith and prayer should be a welcome alternative to what is considered the “norm”.

Apr 21, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

Lately, you may have noticed a lot of advertisements for various different medications. These advertisements are everywhere, on television, on the radio, and in the world's best selling magazines. A few have even popped up on the sides of busses and billboards alongside freeways. Is this new advertisement campaing helping or harming you?

Apr 19, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

Self mutilation is real. Very real. And it seems as though it is becoming a new trend, especially among the youth of today’s world. But is it an actual psychiatric disorder? Should it be classified as an illness and included in the "bible" of psychiatric disorders, the Diagnostic Statistics Manual?

Apr 7, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

We’ve all heard the horror stories of people being terribly violated while receiving treatment at a mental hospital. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, abuse so horrible that patients die from it. Are these stories true? Are they myths, the result of overactive imaginations? Or does the truth lie somewhere in between?

Mar 24, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

A horrifying story of the potential for abuse in mental facilities. Part One of a series on abuse, seclusion, and restraints among the world's mental facilities.

Feb 22, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

What do you know about involuntary confinement? Have you or someone you know ever been confined? Will you ever need to be confined? Read about this controversial topic here.

Jan 21, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

A recent study shows that doctors lie to insurance companies to obtain coverage for their patients. Do you think your doctor might be lying for you? Do you think this is ethical? Read more about this increasingly common practice here.

Jan 7, 2000 - Jennifer Miller

During the Great Depression of the 1930's, an orphanage in Tibet was converted to a psychiatric hospital for the sake of funding. What happened to over 3000 children who were living at the orphanage? And why did the Catholic Church advocate this?

Dec 25, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

This is a personal account of a situation I encountered at work last week. As the events transpired, it occurred to me that I should write about it, and share the story with others. The lesson learned is unfortunately a sad one, but much needed none the less.

Dec 14, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

Online therapy is the new frontier in counseling. But is it right for you? Could you benefit from online therapy? Read this informative article to learn more.

Nov 29, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill has an effective tool for fighting stigma and discrimination called StigmaBusters. Learn how you can join this unique program and help win the battle against stigma.

Nov 12, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

New bills have recently been passed by the Senate at both state and federal level. These new bills are being referred to as a "slap in the face of all greedy HOMs" and are a huge step in insuring that patients get the care and treatment they deserve.

Oct 29, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

The issue of medical record privacy has been under fire recently. Do you know if your medical records are kept private?

Oct 15, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

Have you ever been discriminated against because you have a mental illness? This is my personal account of my experiences with stigma and discrimination.

Oct 1, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

Is someone you know suffering from a mental illness? With one in four Americans suffering from a mental disorder at some point in their lives, you are most likely directly or indirectly affected by a mental illness. If you want to learn how to be a supportive friend to a loved one who may be ill, check out this article for some tips.

Sep 17, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

Is psychiatric drug research safe? Is it even ethical? Have you ever considered taking part in a reasearch study? If so, this article is a must read. Learn all about psychiatric drug testing here.

Sep 3, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

Stanford University tests of a psychiatric drug on 61 teenage inmates may have violated state law banning medical research on inmates, officials said Monday August 16, 1999. The study also raises some troubling ethical issues.

Aug 20, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

This article dispels the myths that the mentally ill are dangerous and violent. It discusses statistics regarding crime and mental illness.

Aug 9, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

This article is about mental health advocacy. It briefly explains the mental health stigma, and why so many people have problems finding the help they need. There is a list of advocacy and education organizations that fight for patient's rights, as well as some hotlines. Links to follow.

Jul 21, 1999 - Jennifer Miller

The older adults of this nation are being ignored, under-diagnosed, and treated poorly. What can we do about it?

Jan 16, 1998 - Jennifer Miller