*Updated 9/24/2024* Have you noticed a family member beginning to act strangely? Do they believe that someone is trying to hurt them when there’s no apparent danger? Or maybe they’ve started following a complex belief system you can’t understand? If so, your loved one might be experiencing psychosis. Understanding psychosis and the disorders that cause […]
Our Latest Blogs
02
May
May
rtor.org Celebrates ‘May is Mental Health Awareness Month’ Last year for Mental Health Awareness Month our Associate Editor Veronique and I posted an article on a different mental health topic each day in the month of May. This year we add some new voices and perspectives to the conversation, with 5 guest bloggers joining us on […]
12
Apr
Apr
Maybe the worst thing about suicide is its finality. It is the one mistake that allows no second chances. When Robin Williams took his life in August of 2014 an entire nation grieved. Our grief was of a partly selfish nature as we realized that there would be no new Robin Williams characters to move […]
31
Mar
Mar
The following recovery story comes from Sallie Crotty who writes about her own experiences with a mental health disorder. Sallie takes us on a journey from her first day to her last day at the Menninger Clinic and what she learned about herself and mental health recovery in the process. We are grateful to Sallie […]
30
Mar
Mar
Yesterday, when I first learned of Patty Duke’s death (on Twitter, of all places), the first thing that went through my mind was the theme song from her hit TV show of the mid 1960s, The Patty Duke Show. If you are over 55 and grew up in America, it’s probably etched in your […]
17
Feb
Feb
A few months ago when I was researching my post on Living Well With Anxiety I came across some great quotes on the topic of anxiety which I’ve assembled here. Some are deep, like Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard’s statement that “Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.” Some are funny, like editor Scott Stossel’s answer […]
21
Jan
Jan
Dear Readers, Welcome to my new blog, The Family Side. For the past year and a half I have been blogging on www.rtor.org under the title of Eunoia: Thoughts on Healthy Thinking. In my first post of May 2, 2014 I described my purpose for the blog: “to bring you news about best practices, research […]
19
Jan
Jan
Today’s wellness story comes from Jeff Fink, the founder of Go Fetch Wellness. Jeff’s story demonstrates the amazing impact animals can have on people’s lives and the importance of a holistic approach to mental health. We are grateful to Jeff for sharing his story with us at rtor.org. –Veronique Hoebeke, Associate Editor Suffering, medications, […]
15
Dec
Dec
On a gloomy Connecticut morning in December, I sat down with Ginny Levy to discuss her most recent project, Parts Unbound: Narratives of Mental Illness and Health which is published by LimeHawk Books. The book contains 18 essays detailing different experiences of mental illness. The majority of the writers speak about their own experiences of […]
01
Dec
Dec
It seems like a no-brainer that spending time outside in the fresh air while doing physical activities is good for us. Thankfully, there are many research findings which indicate that spending time in nature, especially while exercising, has many mental health benefits. From a boost in self-esteem and attention span to decreased feelings of depression […]
17
Nov
Nov
If stories have the power to heal, then stories about mental illness have the potential to heal at the most fundamental level, touching on our sense of self and how we experience our lives. We often think of illness in terms of its impact on the body. But illness also affects the mind, and […]
12
Nov
Nov
Your purchases of any items listed in this article on Amazon.com will help support the costs of running rtor.org, a free service of Laurel House, Inc., 501 (C)(3), non-profit organization This is the first installment in rtor.org’s “Living Well” series on notable people who have been recognized for their achievements in politics, science, and the […]
29
Oct
Oct
Does the term “mental illness” bother anyone else as much as it bothers me? As a treatment provider helping people to determine if they would like to discuss their “disability” with an employer, I have been in the uncomfortable situation of informing someone that their anxiety disorder, depression, PTSD or some other DSM diagnosis […]
18
Sep
Sep
Rtor.org’s sponsor, Laurel House, is proud to announce they will be hosting a speaking event for mental health activist and comedian, Kevin Breel. At the ripe age of 19, Kevin bravely took the stage for a TEDx Talk to speak out about his personal […]
The following post is written by Drew Osbahr who uses his love of music as a way to recover from anxiety and depression. We are thankful that Drew has let us share his recovery story on rtor.org -Veronique Hoebeke, Associate Editor Hi, my name is Drew and I have been recovering one step at a time from […]
28
Jul
Jul
Maybe you have noticed that the free and open style of the Internet has encouraged many bloggers and social media users to open up about their experience with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. While many of these people may have a confirmed mental health disorder, some give the impression of being self-diagnosed or […]
09
Jul
Jul
“A wise man ought to realize that health is his most valuable possession” – Hippocrates It’s no mystery that taking care of your physical well-being is extremely important to your health and happiness. Yet, the average American leads a busy stressed-out life which puts health and wellness on the back burner. There is a lot of complicated information […]
25
Jun
Jun
Pacifica is a free smartphone app that is designed to use the principles of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness to help with daily stress, anxiety and depression. With anxiety and depression being the most common mental health disorders, I’m glad that app developers are addressing this issue. There are six major aspects to Pacifica and each one has […]
23
Sep
Sep
Building on last week’s post for National Recovery Month, I would like to draw your attention to an important yet frequently overlooked and under-appreciated aspect of mental health care: rehabilitation services. Of the three basic components of public mental health systems – prevention, treatment and rehabilitation – rehabilitation is the one most closely linked to […]
13
Aug
Aug
Update: Much has changed since Robin Williams’ death in 2014. New information has been released regarding the circumstances of his reported suicide. There have also been changes in the family situation Jay describes in the post from August 13, 2014. For a happier, more positive continuation of this story, read Jay’s most recent post […]
05
Aug
Aug
Yesterday, a reader of my blog, asked a question in the comments section about environmental triggers in schizophrenia. The short answer I wrote in reply was “Trauma, stress, use of marijuana and other psychoactive substances are thought to be common triggers of psychotic symptoms.” I did a little poking around today and found this story […]
20
Sep
Sep
Wyoming
Only 45.5% of adults with mental illness in Wyoming receive any form of treatment from either the public system or private providers (according to SAMHSA). The remaining 55.5% receive no mental health treatment. According to Mental Health America, Wyoming is ranked 29 out of the 50 states and Washington D.C. for providing access to mental health services.
20
Sep
Sep
Wisconsin
Our Directory of Family-Endorsed Providers features multiple mental health resources in the state of Wisconsin. All of the Wisconsin providers listed below have been recommended by a family member of a person who has used their services and have been carefully vetted by our Advisory Group.
20
Sep
Sep
West Virginia
Public mental health services in West Virginia are administered and provided by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources–Bureau of Behavioral Health and Health Facilities. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Division on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.
20
Sep
Sep
Washington
Public mental health and substance use services in Washington are administered and provided by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services–Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (BHA).
20
Sep
Sep
Virginia
Public mental health services in Virginia are administered and provided by the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services-Office of Mental Health (OMH). Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services-Office of Substance Abuse Services (OSAS).
20
Sep
Sep
Vermont
Public mental health services in Vermont are administered and provided by the Vermont Agency of Human Services–Department of Mental Health. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by Vermont Department of Health–Alcohol and Drugs Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Utah
Public mental health and substance use services in Utah are administered and provided by the Utah Department of Human Services–Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.
20
Sep
Sep
Tennessee
Public mental health and substance use and addiction treatment services in Tennessee are administered and provided by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Texas
Public mental health and substance use services in Texas are administered and provided by the Texas Department of State Health Services–Mental Health and Substance Abuse Division.
20
Sep
Sep
South Dakota
Public mental health and substance use services in South Dakota are administered and provided by the South Dakota Department of Social Services-Behavioral Health Services Division.
20
Sep
Sep
South Carolina
Public mental health in South Carolina are administered and provided by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. Substance use and addiction services are administered and provided by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Rhode Island
Public mental health and addiction services in Rhode Island are administered and provided by The Division of Behavioral Healthcare Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Pennsylvania
Public mental health services in Pennsylvania are administered and provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services–Mental Health Services. Substance use and addiction treatment services in Pennsylvania are overseen on the county level by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services–Substance Abuse Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Oregon
Public mental health and substance use services in Oregon are administered and provided by the Oregon Health Authority–Addiction and Mental Health Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Ohio
Public mental health and substance use services in Ohio are administered and provided by Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (MHAS).
20
Sep
Sep
Oklahoma
Public mental health and substance use services in Oklahoma are administered and provided by the Oklahoma Department for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).
20
Sep
Sep
North Dakota
Public mental health and substance use services in North Dakota are administered and provided by the North Dakota Department of Human Services–Behavioral Health Services.
20
Sep
Sep
North Carolina
Public mental health and substance use services in North Carolina are administered and provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services–Mental Health, Development Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.
20
Sep
Sep
New York
Public mental health and addiction services in New York are administered and provided by the Office of Mental Health. Only 40.1% of adults with mental illness in New York receive any form of treatment from either the public system or private providers (according to SAMHSA). The renaming 59.9% received no mental health treatment. According to Mental Health America, New York is ranked 12 out of the 50 states and Washington D.C. for providing access to mental health services.
20
Sep
Sep
New Mexico
Public mental health and substance use services in New Mexico are administered and provided by the Human Service Department–Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD).
20
Sep
Sep
New Jersey
Public mental health and addiction services in New Jersey are administered and provided by the Department of Human Services–Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Only 41.8% of adults with mental illness in New Jersey receive any form of treatment from either the public system or private providers (according to SAMHSA). The renaming 58.2% received no mental health treatment. According to Mental Health America, New Jersey is ranked 6 out of the 50 states and Washington D.C. for providing access to mental health services.
20
Sep
Sep
New Hampshire
Public mental health services in New Hampshire are administered and provided by the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services–Bureau of Behavioral Health. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Nevada
Public mental health services in Nevada are administered and provided by the State of Nevada Division of Mental Health & Developmental Services. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health–Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Agency (SAPTA).
20
Sep
Sep
Nebraska
Public mental health and substance use services in Nebraska are administered and provided by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services–Division of Behavioral Health Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Montana
Public mental health and substance use services in Montana are administered and provided by the Department of Public Health and Human Services–Addictive and Mental Disorders Division.
20
Sep
Sep
Missouri
Public mental health and substance use services in Missouri are administered and provided by the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
20
Sep
Sep
Mississippi
Public mental health services in Mississippi are administered and provided by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Minnesota
Public mental health and substance use services in Minnesota are administered and provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Michigan
Public mental health and substance use services in Michigan are administered and provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services–Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability.
20
Sep
Sep
Massachusetts
Public mental health services in Massachusetts are administered and provided by the Department of Mental Health. Substance use and addiction treatment services in Massachusetts are overseen by a separate agency, the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Maryland
Public mental health and addiction services in Maryland are administered and provided by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
20
Sep
Sep
Maine
Public mental health and substance abuse services in Maine are administered and provided by the Maine Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Louisiana
Public mental health services in Louisiana are administered and provided by the Louisiana Department of Health–Office of Behavioral Health–Mental Health Services. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by Office of Behavioral Health–Addiction Disorders Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Kentucky
Public mental health services in Kentucky are administered and provided by the Kentucky Cabinet of Health and Family Services–Division of Behavioral Health. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Office of Drug Control Policy.
20
Sep
Sep
Kansas
Public mental health services in Kansas are administered and provided by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services–Kansas Behavioral Health Services. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by Kansas Substance Use Treatment Services.
20
Sep
Sep
Iowa
Public mental health services in Iowa are administered and provided by the Iowa Department for Human Services–Division of Mental Health and Disability Services. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Iowa Department of Public Health–Bureau Substance Abuse.
20
Sep
Sep
Indiana
Public mental health and substance services in Indiana are administered and provided by the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA).
20
Sep
Sep
Illinois
Public mental health services in Illinois are administered and provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services–Division of Mental Health (DMH). Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA).
20
Sep
Sep
Idaho
Public mental health services in Idaho are administered and provided by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare–Mental Health Services. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Substance Use Disorder Services Program.
20
Sep
Sep
Hawaii
Public mental health services in Hawaii are administered and provided by the State of Hawaii Department of Health–Adult Mental Health Division. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division.
20
Sep
Sep
Georgia
Public mental health services in Georgia are administered and provided by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities–Division of Behavioral Health. Substance use and addiction treatment services are overseen by the Office of Addictive Diseases.
20
Sep
Sep
Florida
Public mental health and substance use services in Florida are administered and provided by the The Florida Department of Children and Families–Substance Abuse and Mental Health Program (SAMH).
