From the Desk of the Mental Health Lawyer

Psychiatry

Mental Health Attorneys and Psychiatric Interventions

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on April 7, 2026

“Interventions” in the mental health sphere are often utilized in mental health crises or emergencies; experience and specific expertise are key.

“Interventions” in the mental health sphere are often utilized in mental health crises or emergencies; experience and specific expertise are key.

Mass Shootings

Another Parent Is Found Liable for a Child’s School Shooting

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on March 12, 2026

Teenager Colt Gray used a rifle gifted to him by his father to kill four people and injure nine others at his Georgia school. Colt’s father, Colin Gray, was found guilty by a jury.

Teenager Colt Gray used a rifle gifted to him by his father to kill four people and injure nine others at his Georgia school. Colt’s father, Colin Gray, was found guilty by a jury.

Politics

After Mamdani’s Win, What NYC Mental Health Still Needs

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on November 21, 2025

Personal Perspective: NYC’s next mayor brings ideas on crisis response—but lasting change will require building a system that includes housing, clinical care, and legal guardrails.

Personal Perspective: NYC’s next mayor brings ideas on crisis response—but lasting change will require building a system that includes housing, clinical care, and legal guardrails.

Law and Crime

When Jury Duty Becomes a Mental Health Crisis

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on September 2, 2025

Jurors are asked to absorb harrowing testimony without training or support. For many, the result isn’t civic pride—it’s sleepless nights, trauma, and lasting mental health fallout.

Jurors are asked to absorb harrowing testimony without training or support. For many, the result isn’t civic pride—it’s sleepless nights, trauma, and lasting mental health fallout.

Law and Crime

Red Flag Laws Save Lives. Texas Just Banned Them.

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on July 17, 2025

A new law bans the creation or enforcement of extreme risk protection orders, stripping families’ and the police’s ability to ask courts to remove weapons from those in crisis.

A new law bans the creation or enforcement of extreme risk protection orders, stripping families’ and the police’s ability to ask courts to remove weapons from those in crisis.

Law and Crime

The Fight for Mental Health Parity Continues

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on June 19, 2025

As federal enforcement of parity laws falters, individuals and families struggling with mental illness face grave consequences.

As federal enforcement of parity laws falters, individuals and families struggling with mental illness face grave consequences.

Caregiving

Shining a Spotlight on the Great Caregiving Transfer

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on May 5, 2025

We must help aging caregivers plan for a time when they cannot care for loved ones with mental health issues.

We must help aging caregivers plan for a time when they cannot care for loved ones with mental health issues.

Law and Crime

Mental Health Law Adds to New York Budget Stalemate

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on April 22, 2025

The expanded New York law would send people suffering from the chronic condition of mental illness to facilities designed solely to help those experiencing acute episodes.

The expanded New York law would send people suffering from the chronic condition of mental illness to facilities designed solely to help those experiencing acute episodes.

Therapy

Insurance Can Deny Treatment When Patients Improve

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on January 15, 2025

Mental health issues require ongoing treatment, greater investment, and long-term support.

Mental health issues require ongoing treatment, greater investment, and long-term support.

Aging

Protect Your Elders From Scams During the Holidays

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on December 3, 2024

Many older adults repeatedly give away critical funds to scammers over the giving season, requiring protective guardianships or conservatorships.

Many older adults repeatedly give away critical funds to scammers over the giving season, requiring protective guardianships or conservatorships.

Law and Crime

When Parents of School Shooters Face Legal Liabilities

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on September 20, 2024

By bringing charges against the father of the Apalachee High School shooter, prosecutors are illustrating how the U.S. can combat the epidemic of gun violence.

By bringing charges against the father of the Apalachee High School shooter, prosecutors are illustrating how the U.S. can combat the epidemic of gun violence.

Mass Shootings

Analyzing the Latest Legal Outcome for a Shooter’s Parents

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on September 5, 2024

Gun-owning parents should stay highly attuned to changing perspectives on their potential liabilities and heightened legal risks.

Gun-owning parents should stay highly attuned to changing perspectives on their potential liabilities and heightened legal risks.

Mass Shootings

Reflecting on School Shootings in 2024

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on August 12, 2024

Keeping schools safe will require legislative changes. In addition, educators, parents, and communities must take more proactive, preventive measures to prevent tragedies.

Keeping schools safe will require legislative changes. In addition, educators, parents, and communities must take more proactive, preventive measures to prevent tragedies.

Mass Shootings

Will New Parental Liabilities Extend to Online Behavior?

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on June 25, 2024

Those with serious mental health issues can exhibit symptoms by harassing, defaming and threatening people online, creating potential liabilities for loved ones.

Those with serious mental health issues can exhibit symptoms by harassing, defaming and threatening people online, creating potential liabilities for loved ones.

Psychiatry

10 Realities for People Living With Serious Mental Illness

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on April 30, 2024

2. They're more likely to be the victim of a crime than to commit one.

2. They're more likely to be the victim of a crime than to commit one.

Caregiving

Actor’s Mental Health Journey Shows System-Wide Disparities

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on March 19, 2024

Families facing similar circumstances need a sense of hope to persevere, but without a social safety net, this hope becomes more challenging.

Families facing similar circumstances need a sense of hope to persevere, but without a social safety net, this hope becomes more challenging.

Law and Crime

Conviction of School Shooter’s Mother Sets a Key Precedent

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on February 14, 2024

Personal Perspective: The ruling is anticipated to serve as a deterrent to parents and help mental help practitioners relay the dangers of keeping weapons at home.

Personal Perspective: The ruling is anticipated to serve as a deterrent to parents and help mental help practitioners relay the dangers of keeping weapons at home.

Family Dynamics

Focus Also on Your Well Children This Holiday Season

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on December 12, 2023

While "well sibling syndrome" is an overlooked area of study, we know the needs of such children include (but aren’t limited to) more attention from their families.

While "well sibling syndrome" is an overlooked area of study, we know the needs of such children include (but aren’t limited to) more attention from their families.

Mass Shootings

We Need to Do Better Removing Weapons From Those in Crisis

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on November 14, 2023

The mass shooting in Maine underscores why all states should have the most robust gun violence protection laws.

The mass shooting in Maine underscores why all states should have the most robust gun violence protection laws.

Adoption

Retired NFL Player Puts Conservatorships Back in the News

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on September 19, 2023

In turning to a conservatorship instead of adoption, the defendants appear to have misused this legal arrangement, which could have a chilling effect.

In turning to a conservatorship instead of adoption, the defendants appear to have misused this legal arrangement, which could have a chilling effect.