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.
“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.
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.
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 Lomke
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 Most found that the “old” normal had been altered during the lockdown and had been replaced by “new” normal, e.g., some employees now worked from home, some local small […]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 LomkeA busy pediatrician looked troubled and tense. He had seen this five-year old, Angela, once before two years ago. Then, it was a fall from some playground equipment her mother had said. Today, mom reported that it was a fractured wrist due to a fall from Angela’s bicycle. However this didn’t explain the child’s two […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
It happens. Violence suddenly erupts. It may be in homes, in schools, in factories, in houses of worship, or in the community’s streets. We know what happens. The first responders arrive. The assailant is subdued. The media encamps and reports the incident(s). Counselors arrive to assist the victims and witnesses. What would happen if violence […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.Annual Report of AMHF November 1, 2018, to October 31, 2019 This is the Ninth Annual Report of The American Mental Health Foundation (AMHF), a research organization formed in 1924, incorporated in New York State in 1954. AMHF celebrates ten decades of philanthropic service and activities—“Advancing Mental Health:A Century of Excellence in Mental Health Research.”—likely […]
By: Evander Lomke
Twenty years ago I published a book (that link goes to the new edition, with additional information by scrolling down here) on a topic of national concern: preventing youth violence. The American Mental Health Foundation (AMHF) requested I write two blogs that highlighted the contents in the book. The first blog reviewed the early/serious/urgent warning […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
Twenty years ago I published a book on a topic of national concern: preventing youth violence (Flannery, 2012a). The American Mental Health Foundation (AMHF), with its emphasis on improving mental-health awareness, requested I write two blogs (herewith, in 2019, are these two new essays) on some of the topics in the book. The first blog, from […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
Dateline: Miami, Florida, March 15, 2018 The day dawned bright and sunny with typical early spring Florida warmth. People began to wake up, and each person began to plan the day. Everyone left home for work, for school, for local errands. Some did not realize that they would never be returning home. Ever. Each sat […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
Thanks to the research of television critic David Bianculli and his TV Worth Watching site, do “tune in” below (7 minutes) as tough-as-nails Rhode Island Senator John O. Pastore is won over by the compelling words of Fred Rogers (just days ago at this writing, the 50th anniversary of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, on what was […]
By: Evander Lomke
Dateline: February 14, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Florida. Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday had not coincided since the 1940s. The day began as an amalgam of frivolity and solemnity. It wound up a tragedy in Broward County. Violence in America. There’s an ongoing epidemic of Youth Violence. The American Mental Health Foundation […]
By: Evander Lomke
He was quiet but definitely paranoid. The staff could agree on this. He refused to eat any of the hospital meals to avoid being poisoned. He was quite clear about this and would only eat commercially sealed prepackaged foodstuffs, such as corn chips. Nonetheless, he was quiet and usually cooperative. Still, the staff noticed that […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
(Please also see Assaultive Psychiatric Patients: A Worldwide Perspective, 2013-17.) Patient assaults on health-care staff are a serious and worldwide occupational hazard for caregivers, all disciplines. These assaults may result in death, permanent or temporary disability, medical and legal expense, lost productivity, and severe psychological distress. They impair overall personal and institutional morale. Assaults may […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
This superb article in Time, by journalist Olivia B. Waxman, relates to a conversation with The American Mental Health Foundation initiated via a phone call from the office of Congressman Ted Lieu. The most-relevant portion to this blog is found in the final paragraph.
By: Evander Lomke
This new book, by Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr., is the first of several planned titles from AMHF Books as an Audio title. Order on this link today! Of the print and ebook (Kindle) editions, Midwest Book Review, in part, praises: “Impressively informed and informative, thoroughly “reader friendly” in organization and presentation. Coping with Anxiety […]
By: Evander Lomke
Immediately following the 2017 US-presidential inauguration, members of The American Mental Health Foundation professional-advisory board, Drs. Henry Kellerman and William Van Ornum, were filmed on Public Voice Salon. John Bredin is the gracious host. The freewheeling conversation, centering on the state of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis today, also included Mr. Evander Lomke, executive director, discussing the history […]
By: Evander Lomke Vogel’s Bookshelf Coping with Anxiety in An Age of Terrorism Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr. American Mental Health Foundation PO Box 3, Riverdale, NY 10471-0003 www.americanmentalhealthfoundation.org 9781590565605, $12.00, PB, 112pp, www.amazon.com Synopsis: The use of terrorism to promote a cause is a tragical reality of our times in almost every country in the world. It is […]
By: Evander Lomke
From the office of Congressman Ted Lieu, 33rd District of California (who supersedes Representative Henry A. Waxman): We have been exploring legislation to create a Presidential Psychiatrist position in the White House Medical Unit, similar to the Presidential Physician position that already exists. Although the impetus has certainly been our current president, this concept has […]
By: Evander LomkeThis is the sixth Annual Report of The American Mental Health Foundation (AMHF), a research organization formed in 1924, incorporated in New York State December 31, 1954. In 2017, AMHF celebrates 93 years of philanthropic service and activities—“Advancing Mental Health: A Century of Excellence in Mental Health Research.” Vision: Building a More Compassionate Society—Get Involved! Mission: AMHF endeavors […]
By: Evander Lomke
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, 2016, covers “psychological first aid.” Efforts in support of the day will focus on basic pragmatic psychological support by people who find themselves in a helping role—whether they are health staff, teachers, firefighters, community workers, or police officers. Despite its name, psychological […]
By: Evander Lomke
Where was God? Dateline: Boston, Massachusetts, April 15, 2013 The day was perfect. Bright sunshine, a pleasant warmth. College student, Victoria McGrath, was excited. The Boston Marathon was a premier sports event. The crowd was excited as well. The enthusiasm was electric and Victoria positioned herself near the finish line, so as to have the […]
By: Dr. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., says shame on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which operates under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). With a budget of $3.5 billion to reduce the burden of mental illness and substance abuse, SAMHSA has nonetheless never ascertained the prevalence (numbers afflicted) of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. […]
By: Evander Lomke
Yesterday, February 9, 2016, was the eleventh anniversary of the death of Dr. Stefan de Schill: Ash Wednesday, 2005, and the earliest Western date this holiday could fall. Today, February 10 of 2016, is Ash Wednesday. We honor the vision and work of Dr. de Schill always. De Schill’s long and fruitful career, his passion […]
By: Evander Lomke
How many roads must a man (or woman) walk down before you call him (or her) a…human…with a heart? Jared Loughner. James Holmes. Adam Lanza. All suffer from serious mental illness. All represented tragic cries for help. All, among the 4 percent diagnosed with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses, might have been helped. Maybe their […]
By: Evander Lomke
Does psychology undermine morality? The question is broad. The book on the subject is short. Pundit Mona Charen reviews it in National Review (April 20, 2015). She says, Yes. As a reflection of the research and outreach conducted by this foundation, since 1924, my different view follows…. Regarding Mona Charen’s review of Admirable Evasions: How Psychology […]
By: Evander Lomke
Box 3 Riverdale NY 10471-0003
© 2024 American Mental Health Foundation
Site design and hosting by 
Host Companion