Amy Hillgren Peterson - Profile

Amy Hillgren Peterson is a published author of a book on mental illness in families and society, as well as several articles on social issues and a documentary in production on mental illness. Amy received her B.A. cum laude from the University of South Dakota in English with minors in Spanish and Philosophy. Soon after college graduation, symptoms of bipolar disorder began to interfere with her marriage, family life, and employment.

Amy has worked as a legal assistant, private investigator, public affairs specialist, and professional journalist. During her work in legal and public affairs, she became intimately familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act and its implications for individuals with mental illness.

Amy was an only child. She lost her mother at age 17 and her father at age 28, to suicide and alcoholism, respectively. Her goal in writing about mental illness in society is to change public perception of depression, bipolar disorders and schizophrenia from fear and ignorance to acceptance and accommodation. Mental illnesses are complex but highly treatable with medications.

Amy lives in the midwest with her husband and two children, Dylon, 7, and Caitlyn, 4. Her interest in Suite 101 comes from a passion for philanthropy and a belief that our purpose as citizens of earth is to help other people.