Huzzah and Hallelujah!
Friends, it’s been a long, long week (plus change) without you. I was feeling the bite quite keenly, but my mutable work situation — my departure from PW as a full-timer — meant a delay in tending to this blog. Now I’m back, and I have to say, it’s like a nice cold brewski on a really hot day. (Unless you’re in recovery from alcoholism, in which case substitute a cranberry spritzer or whatev.)
I feel pretty good. Sleeping late(r) (since working at alt weeklies doesn’t exactly make you rise with the dawn) is nice, though I’ve been a little anxious. So there’s been a fair amount of Ativan consumption that will have my pharmacist givin’ me the fish eye next month.
Aside from the fact that Bob Novak is dead (about which I feel nothing; sorry) and unremorseful bag of shit Michael Vick is going to be an Eagle (about which I feel rage), the most interesting article I’ve read about mental health issues in my absence marries my passions. It was in the New York Times:
Mentally Ill Offenders Strain Juvenile System
It’s heartbreaking and a must-read, and again, I’ll make the assertion that tends to get me in hot water every time I say it: Prison is worse for people with severe mental illnesses than psychiatric hospitals — though the best solution, ideally, is community-supported intervention. It’s tragic to read about these kids who decompensate in prison and then, because that behavior is criminal in the system, not just pathological, get more time. That’s part of what makes it so much worse to be shuttled into the criminal justice system.
But don’t get me started. Just read the piece. Also:
Young, Mentally Ill and Behind Bars
liz | 12:39 PM | children, criminal justice system
“Aside from the fact that Bob Novak is dead (about which I feel nothing; sorry)”
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Personally, I have practice..
I’ve been expressing my sincerest condolences for Mr. Novak’s friends and family for DECADES now…
She’s BAAACK! Hooray for Liz!
Welcome back!
I’m glad to read you’re okay.
Remember to give yourself a rightfully needed break every now and then.
Vick or no Vick I’m still a relocated loyal Giant fan.
Warmly,
Herb
VNSdepression.com
Whit happened with PW job? Hope it wil work out for you, Liz; you’re a precious person and a pretty star in my bipolar universe.
Ton
The Bridge is new to your blog, but we are excited to see you posted the article from the NYT about mentally ill juveniles in jail. We are looking forward to your future posts!
The first of the letters to the editor reminded me of another heartbreaking article in The New Yorker about the effects of solitary confinement: http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/03/30/090330fa_fact_gawande
I am glad my favorite Philly girl is back. Hurray, Hurray. The cat is even dancing in your honor!
Novak was a great journalist whether or not you agree with him, and now Don Hewitt is dead… It really does go in threes.
…from the pieces written on other blogs I thought this blog was also a victim of PW cuts. I’m glad you’re continuing with PW and this blog.
The NYTimes piece is similar to what’s happening in Canada… people who should be placed into the (mental) health care system are instead routed to the prison system due to a dire lack of beds. And the bed shortage is getting worse again thanks to problems with the economy.
http://www.ottawasun.com/comment/columnists/mindelle_jacobs/2009/08/21/10541436-sun.html
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