“I am strong, I am bold… my own power, I can hold.” — Bent on Learning Student Mantra In keeping with our series inspired by the Kennedy Forum’s Mental Health State of the Union, this week we focus on prevention. Recently, we attended a gala to benefit Bent on Learning, a nonprofit that brings yoga…
“Forget your perfect offering — there’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen, “Anthem” It is officially Spring and we’re coming up on the holidays of Easter and Passover — a season of hope, renewal, and light. One thing I find very interesting about the symbolism of both of…
Silence speaks volumes. When it comes to discussing a health issue that affects one in four Americans, silence is what keeps an individual from seeking help for mental health conditions; silence is what prevents us from supporting a family member, a friend, a partner who seeks mental health care; silence is what enables us to…
“The system we’ve grown up with is a system of separate and unequal care.” — Patrick J. Kennedy. February 23, 2016. The Kennedy Forum, Mental Health State of the Union. On Tuesday, February 23, we were privileged to join the Kennedy Forum for its second annual Mental Health State of the Union, which brought together…
As we approach the National Day of Unplugging on March 4, it’s that time of year to talk about social media. Last year, at this time, I was working closely with The Meeting House, a pioneer organization in social and emotional learning based in New York City, preparing to speak at their symposium on social…
Valentine’s Day can make us feel like we have to find someone to love and appreciate us in the romantic sense — an external source of love can feel like the only game in town. At the Flawless Foundation, we view this day a little differently. Last year, I spoke with our board member Ross…
I’m no stranger to tough situations; my work has taken me into a lot of intensely challenging environments, from psychiatric hospitals to jails. I, myself, have faced life-threatening mental health issues, from which I have gratefully recovered. But two weeks ago, I was confronted by the cracks in our mental health and judicial systems in…
When you’re experiencing mental health distress, what do you do? Where do you go? For most individuals, the only available option is to seek help from an emergency department where the average wait time, before getting admitted, can range from eight to 34 hours. Thirty-four hours waiting to be treated; thirty-four hours where your condition…
In January, we celebrate the work and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and in his memory, we reflect on the civil rights victories achieved and the ones still yet to be made. As we’ve seen over the past 18 months, there is still much work to be done in securing equality for black…
“We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there ‘is’ such a thing as being too late. This is no time for apathy or complacency. This is a time for vigorous and postive action.” -Martin…
