All in the Family

Health

Mental Illness and Violence

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on November 20, 2017

Most people with mental illness are not violent. But some are.

Most people with mental illness are not violent. But some are.

Health

Beyond the March for Science: What Now?

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on April 27, 2017

Children whose parents voted for Trump are as likely to develop asthma and autism as children whose parents voted for Clinton.

Children whose parents voted for Trump are as likely to develop asthma and autism as children whose parents voted for Clinton.

Depression

7 Reasons Why Breast Cancer Is Better Than Depression

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on August 3, 2016

The day after my first chemotherapy treatment, I had an epiphany. I was overcome with relief. I was going to be sick and not feel ashamed.

The day after my first chemotherapy treatment, I had an epiphany. I was overcome with relief. I was going to be sick and not feel ashamed.

Health

Predictable, Foreseeable, Preventable, and Unstoppable

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on June 1, 2016

There will never be enough armed guards and security cameras to keep us safe in our theaters, grocery stores, streets, hotels, and schools. That’s why we need a systemic response.

There will never be enough armed guards and security cameras to keep us safe in our theaters, grocery stores, streets, hotels, and schools. That’s why we need a systemic response.

Suicide

How Not to Respond to Campus Suicides

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on April 19, 2016

By calling a young woman's death an accident, Penn missed an important learning opportunity.

By calling a young woman's death an accident, Penn missed an important learning opportunity.

Health

Mental Health Is Important, but What About Mental Illness?

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on March 17, 2016

We must help people with brain diseases get the treatments they need because it’s the humane thing to do. If it were your child, would you feel differently?

We must help people with brain diseases get the treatments they need because it’s the humane thing to do. If it were your child, would you feel differently?

Psychiatry

Mental Illness vs. Terrorism

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on December 16, 2015

When I learned 14 people were dead and more wounded, gunned down in San Bernardino at a holiday celebration earlier this month, my initial reaction was: I hope it’s a terrorist.

When I learned 14 people were dead and more wounded, gunned down in San Bernardino at a holiday celebration earlier this month, my initial reaction was: I hope it’s a terrorist.

Psychiatry

A Mother’s Nightmare

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on November 4, 2015

Read about H.R. 2646 a bill working through its way through Congress, introduced by Tim Murphy, Ph.D., the only psychologist in Congress, that aims to provide real solutions for America’s broken mental health system.

Read about H.R. 2646 a bill working through its way through Congress, introduced by Tim Murphy, Ph.D., the only psychologist in Congress, that aims to provide real solutions for America’s broken mental health system.

Health

What Clifford Beers Wanted

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on October 19, 2015

Jared Loughner wouldn’t have shot and severely injured U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. James Holmes wouldn’t have walked into an Aurora movie theater, killing 12 and wounding 70. Adam Lanza wouldn’t have murdered 20 first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Jared Loughner wouldn’t have shot and severely injured U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. James Holmes wouldn’t have walked into an Aurora movie theater, killing 12 and wounding 70. Adam Lanza wouldn’t have murdered 20 first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Whether Pope Francis’ visit is a pastoral one or a political one, his messages of inclusiveness and humanity must be heeded. It’s long past time to demand that our federal legislators pay attention to the needs of citizens with serious mental illness.

Psychiatry

Mental Health Care Reform Requires Families to Speak Up

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on September 4, 2015

Now, after decades without meaningful reform, Congress is paying attention. Several bills that can improve care for people with mental illness have been introduced.

Now, after decades without meaningful reform, Congress is paying attention. Several bills that can improve care for people with mental illness have been introduced.

Psychiatry

Why Governor Abbott was Wrong

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on August 4, 2015

Texas law is particularly important to me, as Texas has been home to my adopted daughter since 2011.

Texas law is particularly important to me, as Texas has been home to my adopted daughter since 2011.

Bias

Why People With Mental Illness Haven’t Gained From the ADA

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on July 28, 2015

The ADA requires employers to make reasonable accommodations only if they are aware of a person’s disability.

The ADA requires employers to make reasonable accommodations only if they are aware of a person’s disability.

Bipolar Disorder

Mental Illness and Families: Realigning Laws & Science

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on July 21, 2015

As the mother of a 22-year old daughter diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, I have to scratch my head. With an 11-year old son who tried to commit suicide and later, as a teenager, reported hearing voices urging him to kill, Arlene and Robert had to have known James was ill and needed treatment.

As the mother of a 22-year old daughter diagnosed with bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, I have to scratch my head. With an 11-year old son who tried to commit suicide and later, as a teenager, reported hearing voices urging him to kill, Arlene and Robert had to have known James was ill and needed treatment.

Suicide

Out of the Darkness Walk II

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on July 2, 2015

Crossing the finish line, I had but one wish – that people with serious mental illness would be treated with respect and given the compassionate care Dorothea Dix and President Kennedy envisioned so that far fewer people would take their own lives in the coming year.

Crossing the finish line, I had but one wish – that people with serious mental illness would be treated with respect and given the compassionate care Dorothea Dix and President Kennedy envisioned so that far fewer people would take their own lives in the coming year.

Aging

Where Is Harper Lee’s Watchman?

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on June 3, 2015

I started thinking more like the gerontologist I am, and I climbed into Lee’s skin. Lee had plenty of opportunity to publish Watchmen or write another novel. She never did. That combined with strong evidence of her diminished capacity and the “discovery” of Watchman shortly after her sister’s death makes it likely that publishing Watchmen is contrary to her wishes.

I started thinking more like the gerontologist I am, and I climbed into Lee’s skin. Lee had plenty of opportunity to publish Watchmen or write another novel. She never did. That combined with strong evidence of her diminished capacity and the “discovery” of Watchman shortly after her sister’s death makes it likely that publishing Watchmen is contrary to her wishes.

Bipolar Disorder

Screening Test for Mental Illness

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on April 14, 2015

In the past weeks as our sympathies turned to families of the victims of Flight 9525, many have asked how we can allow such evil to exist in our world. But the right question is “How can we allow a person with serious mental illness to fly a commercial airplane?”

In the past weeks as our sympathies turned to families of the victims of Flight 9525, many have asked how we can allow such evil to exist in our world. But the right question is “How can we allow a person with serious mental illness to fly a commercial airplane?”

Health

What Parents Can’t Do

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on March 25, 2015

More than twice as many states required parental consent for mental health treatment than for substance abuse treatment.

More than twice as many states required parental consent for mental health treatment than for substance abuse treatment.

Health

Bring Back the Asylum?

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on January 30, 2015

The Penn scholars may as well have encouraged us to build more “Funny Farms” or “Loony Bins.” These bioethicists should recognize the harm in their cavalier choice of words. Couldn’t they have chosen a less provocative term?

The Penn scholars may as well have encouraged us to build more “Funny Farms” or “Loony Bins.” These bioethicists should recognize the harm in their cavalier choice of words. Couldn’t they have chosen a less provocative term?

Psychosis

Return to the Dark Ages: Punishing People for Mental Illness

Rachel Pruchno Ph.D. on January 22, 2015

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He doesn't deny he was the shooter, but he and his attorneys claim he had been experiencing a psychotic episode. Now a sentencing trial will decide whether to execute him or imprison him for life.

Holmes has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He doesn't deny he was the shooter, but he and his attorneys claim he had been experiencing a psychotic episode. Now a sentencing trial will decide whether to execute him or imprison him for life.