Depression & Mental Health
- Jan 20
- 2010
Editor’s Web Note: Could humans finally be weary of violence and exploitation? As of today’s date, the sci-fi film “Avatar” holds the spot for the second-highest grossing film ever made. For all the complaints from the intellectual community and the Christian right, Cameron makes a spiritual life of peace and ecological balance look sumptuously fulfilling. If it wasn’t for “abandonment guilt”, most young people would head to Pandora in a hot second. —Lauren
DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I have a grandnephew, 15, from Kentucky and a grandson, 16, from California. Both say “Avatar” is the best movie they’ve ever seen. When I asked why, I expected to hear about the amazing graphics. But they surprised me saying it was the storyline. Independently, they both…
- Sep 2
- 2009
Editor’s Web Note: Adderall and Ritalin have become the steroids of study and today’s column begs the question: What are we doing as a society if the academic expectations are so high that students have to resort to “study drugs” to stay competitive? Or are students just so distracted from always-on technology that they put off studying till the last minute? —Lauren
DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: I’m concerned for friends who buy Adderall and Ritalin at school in order to stay up late studying. One of my friends is on antidepressants and I worry about her combining prescription drugs. Parents have no idea that you get any drug you want within 5 minutes at high…
- Jan 7
- 2009
DEAR STRAIGHT TALK: My friend, “Max”, has huge family problems and is cutting his wrists. The cuts aren’t deep, but his arm is infected because his parents lock the medicine cabinet and he isn’t cleaning it properly. Max showed me and some other girls the infection and told us not to tell…
- Oct 24
- 2007
Dear Straight Talk: I was very affected, Lauren, by the story of your son (9/5/2007). He was obviously an amazing young man and you obviously raised him well. I don’t know how you did it with four kids; we have five and have so many problems.
Our middle child, 15, has OCD (obsessive…
- Jun 20
- 2007
Dear Straight Talk: In a recent column about counseling (5/9/2007) it was mentioned that high-achieving females needed more understanding and care than other “high-risk” types. I’m concerned that my daughter, 16, might be one of these females. Can you describe in more detail what “at risk”…
- May 9
- 2007
Dear Straight Talk: I would like to tell “Chelsea,” the girl who didn’t want to talk to a stranger about her problems, how effective counseling is—and how the earlier you receive it the better it works.
I ran a 20-month grant that gave early-intervention counseling to youth in emotional…
- Apr 11
- 2007
Dear Straight Talk: My mom wants me go to counseling but I don’t want to talk to a stranger about my situation. I know it might help me, it’s just that I don’t like talking to people I don’t know about my feelings and problems. But I stuff everything inside and then it explodes. Without…
