From the Desk of the Mental Health Lawyer

Psychiatry

10 Realities for Those Living With Serious Mental Illness

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on April 30, 2024

The experiences of those with complex, ongoing mental health conditions that often result in serious functional impairments must be top of mind for Mental Health Awareness Month.

The experiences of those with complex, ongoing mental health conditions that often result in serious functional impairments must be top of mind for Mental Health Awareness Month.

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.

Mass Shootings

The Legal Case Against a School Shooter’s Parents

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on July 17, 2023

Holding parents criminally responsible for the actions of children who commit mass shootings could create more incentive for responsible gun ownership and prevent tragedies.

Holding parents criminally responsible for the actions of children who commit mass shootings could create more incentive for responsible gun ownership and prevent tragedies.

Law and Crime

Mental Health Requires Our Attention During All 12 Months

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on June 5, 2023

Though Mental Health Awareness Month is now behind us, we must remain committed to developing solutions to improve the lives of those impacted by mental illness.

Though Mental Health Awareness Month is now behind us, we must remain committed to developing solutions to improve the lives of those impacted by mental illness.

Suicide

Mental Health Crisis Among Teens Demands a New Approach

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on March 8, 2023

Caregivers and educators can embrace more proactive, preventive measures, while those with power and influence can seek to reduce burdens.

Caregivers and educators can embrace more proactive, preventive measures, while those with power and influence can seek to reduce burdens.

Psychiatry

The Dire Need for Mental Health Expertise for Families

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on January 17, 2023

Following the guidance of specialized attorneys and other practitioners with actual experience with the complex world of mental illness is crucial for families.

Following the guidance of specialized attorneys and other practitioners with actual experience with the complex world of mental illness is crucial for families.

Psychiatry

NYC Plan to Hospitalize the Mentally Ill: Risks vs. Benefits

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on December 14, 2022

Loosening the criteria for involuntary hospitalization adds challenges for law enforcement, hospitals, families, and individuals.

Loosening the criteria for involuntary hospitalization adds challenges for law enforcement, hospitals, families, and individuals.

Suicide

September Is Back to School But Also Suicide Awareness Month

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on September 15, 2022

Even as pandemic pressures ease, kids in school and young adults in college will continue to face challenges that elevate their suicide risk.

Even as pandemic pressures ease, kids in school and young adults in college will continue to face challenges that elevate their suicide risk.

Health

Red-Flag Laws Show the Limits of the Legal System

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on July 27, 2022

While an important step, red flag laws can only keep weapons from at-risk individuals. Without the leverage of diversion courts, they cannot compel them to undergo treatment.

While an important step, red flag laws can only keep weapons from at-risk individuals. Without the leverage of diversion courts, they cannot compel them to undergo treatment.

Health

Student Athletes Need Better Mental Health Support

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on June 13, 2022

The relentless pressure to be the best may be driving some elite female student-athletes to commit suicide. Here's what needs to change.

The relentless pressure to be the best may be driving some elite female student-athletes to commit suicide. Here's what needs to change.

Health

Why We Need More Awareness of Serious Mental Illness

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on April 25, 2022

Mental Health Awareness Month offers an opportunity to reflect on which mental health conditions have been normalized—and which still haven’t.

Mental Health Awareness Month offers an opportunity to reflect on which mental health conditions have been normalized—and which still haven’t.

Health

Expanding Kendra’s Law to Help Those Affected by Mental Illness

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on March 21, 2022

Kendra’s Law fundamentally enhanced our mental health care system, but its strict criteria often make it difficult for individuals to access and continue receiving treatment.

Kendra’s Law fundamentally enhanced our mental health care system, but its strict criteria often make it difficult for individuals to access and continue receiving treatment.

Suicide

Family Members Can Play a Role in Suicide Prevention

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on February 7, 2022

A spate of recent high-profile suicides highlights the risk faced by young adults and illustrates the importance of family members taking appropriate preventive action.

A spate of recent high-profile suicides highlights the risk faced by young adults and illustrates the importance of family members taking appropriate preventive action.

Health

Five Key Lessons from Britney Spears’ Conservatorship

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on January 18, 2022

While it’s natural to marvel at the drama of #FreeBritney, families who have loved ones with mental illness are better served by hearing the realistic lessons of her case.

While it’s natural to marvel at the drama of #FreeBritney, families who have loved ones with mental illness are better served by hearing the realistic lessons of her case.

Media

#FreeBritney News Coverage Deters Those Needing Conservatorships

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on October 12, 2021

The frenzy of negative media coverage surrounding Ms. Spears’ case is having a chilling effect on families who need conservatorships and trustworthy professional conservators.

The frenzy of negative media coverage surrounding Ms. Spears’ case is having a chilling effect on families who need conservatorships and trustworthy professional conservators.

Health

Parity Laws Curb Bias Against Mental Illness When Enforced

Carolyn Reinach Wolf on August 31, 2021

Combatting bias against mental illness requires that we fight for the rights afforded under parity laws, which trailblazers worked tirelessly to get on the books.

Combatting bias against mental illness requires that we fight for the rights afforded under parity laws, which trailblazers worked tirelessly to get on the books.