Group: The Schopenhauer Effect, is a feature film by Alexis Lloyd showing in New York City through March 26, 2026. For the interest in this film and subject, I thought today I’d reprint a notice (in noninclusive language) of The Challenge for Group Psychotherapy: Present and Future, edited by Dr. Stefan de Schill, long-time director […]
By: Evander LomkeThe Assaulted Staff Action Program (ASAP) (1) is a voluntary, peer-help, system-wide crisis intervention program to address the psychological impact of psychiatric patient assaults on healthcare staff. ASAP is voluntary in that the employee victims are free to decline ASAP services; peer-help in that fellow agency staff is taught to provide the ASAP services; and […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.DDAM Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month is honored and celebrated annually since 1987, when President Ronald W. Reagan officially designated DDAM: to foster inclusion, increase awareness of the needs and capabilities of individuals with developmental disabilities [IDD, sometimes written I/DD], and encourage opportunities toward more productive and happier lives. This proclamation emphasized community integration in support […]
By: Evander Lomke
Remembering Dr. Stefan de Schill on the 21st anniversary of his death, Ash Wednesday (February 9), 2005. February 22, 2026, is also 20 years since the passing of Denise LaHullier. Miss LaHullier was a longtime officer of The American Mental Health Foundation; for decades an essential contributor to the lifework of Dr. de Schill. Rest […]
By: Evander LomkePlease watch the remarkable Make Calcutta Relevant Again
By: Evander LomkePsychiatric patient assaults on healthcare providers are an ongoing risk in all types of psychiatric settings, including private practice (1). A recent 46-year review of studies of assaultive psychiatric patients indicates that younger, male patients with diagnoses of both schizophrenia and substance use disorder presented the greatest risk (2). The research community has understandably focused […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Previous blogs in this series have documented the ongoing issue of psychiatric patient assaults on healthcare staff (January 16, 2015, and January 30, 2018). This is a worldwide occupational hazard. A recent 62-year analysis of this research (1) noted that patients with schizophrenia and substance use disorder are the more frequent assailants. This blog examines […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.May is Mental Health Awareness Month. In 2025 the theme is “Turn Awareness into Action.” It emphasizes ways to improve mental health by engaging communities. This has been the social-action goal of The American Mental Health Foundation for more than 100 years: to actualize research. It is reflected in the mission statement: For a century […]
By: Evander Lomke
Annual Report of AMHF November 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024. As of November 1, 2024, The American Mental Health Foundation has done outstanding work for 100 years. This is the Twelfth Annual Report of The American Mental Health Foundation, an association formed in 1924, incorporated in New York State in 1954. AMHF celebrates eleven decades […]
By: Evander LomkeFrom time to time, the news media report on a suicide. The public often assume that the deceased was confronted and overwhelmed by some significant major life event. Most then move on. But loved ones and friends may face additional stress and questions. Some might hold themselves responsible for not doing more to prevent the […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Director of Research of The American Mental Health Foundation from 1948 to 2005, Dr. Stefan de Schill died February 9: 20 years ago. In 2005 that date was Ash Wednesday. Dr. de Schill was one of the pioneers of group psychotherapy in North America. He accepted the position of director of research offered by Hermann Broch, […]
By: Evander LomkeRead or watch any news source and there find daily examples of angry people. Reports of shootings, petty thefts, property damage, domestic violence, road rage, assaults on store employees and flight attendants, and abused children. Many citizens appear to be taking out their anger on others. What has become of us? Why have so many […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.The directors of The American Mental Health Foundation mourn the loss of Eric J. Green, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S: award-winning—in 2013, the Mary Smith Arnold Anti-oppression Award from the Counselors for Social Justice at the American Counseling Association Annual Convention, in honor of sustained efforts in advocacy for child-trauma survivors—Jungian play therapist; distinguished author; and, for […]
By: Evander Lomke
This article on the lifework of American Mental Health Foundation board member and secretary, Michelle Harrison, MD, appears in Sananda magazine, issue 30, July 30, 2024. This recognition is long overdue!
By: Evander LomkeIt happened again last night and several more times today. You wouldn’t know that of course. The media did not report it, politicians ignored it, and there are no specific protest groups addressing it. Again, you wouldn’t know about it. Yet it did happen. It actually happened many times. All over the world. Some psychiatric […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Annual Report of AMHF November 1, 2022, to October 31, 2023. As of November 1, 2023, The American Mental Health Foundation has done outstanding work for 100 years. This is the Eleventh Annual Report of The American Mental Health Foundation, an association formed in 1924, incorporated in New York State in 1954. AMHF celebrates eleven decades […]
By: Evander LomkeLife is not fair in many circumstances. The serious mental illness of schizophrenia is one of those circumstances. No one likes being sick but the reality of schizophrenia is truly burdensome. Schizophrenia is a biologically rooted disease for which there are helpful treatments but no cure. One is born with this illness but it does […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.In Profiles in Mental Health Courage Patrick J. Kennedy and Stephen Fried explore mental health and substance abuse in the United States. This is a compelling and humane approach.
By: Evander Lomke
Ours is a turbulent and challenging age with many major cultural shifts seemingly happening all at once. A few examples: world powers jockey for dominance, civil rights and other rights’ advocates compete to be heard, major social shifts occurred in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic with its many impacts isolating persons from each other, […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.On this first day of 2024, the centennial year of The American Mental Health Foundation, we thank all the generous supporters of our mission: For a century and in times of social change, a not-for-profit organization advancing the public understanding of mental health by educating through books, articles, website blogs, and workshops. Each donor makes […]
By: Evander Lomke
“If it bleeds, it leads” is a common expression among news reporters preparing evening-news programs across the country. These news stories usually emerge in response to critical incidents, such as natural disasters and various acts of human violence. These are the incidents to which first responders are called. These are also the critical events that […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Today’s magic is tomorrow’s science. So goes a saw. Dating a hundred years or more, there is some connection between psychology and magic. In fact one of The American Mental Health Foundation Benefactor-level donors, who died tragically, gifted a portion of his estate. In life, pursuant to colleagues’ encomiums, this admirer of the mission of […]
By: Evander Lomke
I remember Uncle Harry in my younger days as a happy, hard-working husband and father of two. Outgoing and gregarious, he was always upbeat and helpful. He enjoyed his public-works job as a way to help his community, he idolized his family, and he would do anything to help others. But it changed. It changed […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my soul and my God and turned my dreams to dust.—Elie Wiesel This is a true story of caring attachments among complete strangers as recounted by the principals involved and the first responders onsite. On 9/11/2001, New York Fire Department Ladder 6 was dispatched to the World […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
February 9, 2023, is the eighteenth anniversary of the death of Dr. Stefan de Schill. In 2005, that day was on Ash Wednesday, the earliest date Ash Wednesday could fall. The directors of The American Mental Health Foundation take some moments to honor Dr. de Schill’s memory. As long-time director of research, he devoted his […]
By: Evander LomkeGiven the pressures in today’s world, would you welcome the opportunity to lessen your life stress and anxiety? Reduce your dysphoria and depression? Improve your physical health and sense of well-being? Even lengthen your life? What if I told you that you could attain all of these health benefits at no cost to your health-insurance […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
As COVID-19 restrictions were lifted in 2022, people put aside masks, social distancing, and lockdown social isolation to venture out to restore a more normal life. Most found that the “old” normal had been altered during the lockdown and had been replaced by “new” normal, e.g., some employees now worked from home, some local small […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Annual Report of AMHF November 1, 2021, to October 31, 2022; on November 1, 2022, The American Mental Health Foundation will be 99 years in existence thus rapidly moving into 100. Few not-for-profit organizations can make this claim. This is the Tenth Annual Report of The American Mental Health Foundation (AMHF), an organization formed in […]
By: Evander LomkeIt is happening everywhere. Adults are assaulted or shot in bars and entertainment venues. Teenagers and gang members kill each other in broad daylight. Children are murdered in their classrooms. Dinner guests who do not know each other break out in brawls in restaurants. Why is there this increase in crime and violence as COVID-19 […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Raymond B. Flannery Jr., Ph.D., FACLP, a licensed clinical psychologist, is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. He has also served on the faculties of Harvard Medical School and Boston College. For 10 years, he was Director of Training for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health […]
By: Evander Lomke
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