Media

We've known for some time now that Americans are increasingly dying younger, but the scale and nature of the problem has been a little bit murky. There was speculation that the downturn in American life expectancy was all thanks to "deaths of despair," but some experts have said that might not be the full story, and that obesity and tobacco are still major factors in American mortality.

In a widely read article on antidepressant withdrawal published on April 8, The New York Times invited readers to describe their experiences coming off the drugs. More than 8,800 people responded — teenagers, college students, new mothers, empty-nesters, retirees.

Dozens did write in to say the drugs had been lifesaving, literally so. "You fail to acknowledge that mood disorders can be lifelong, debilitating diseases requiring lifelong medical treatment," wrote Rachel S., of New York.

Grieving the death of a loved one can affect an entire family, including babies. In fact, losing a relative during pregnancy may impact the mental health of a child later in life, according to a new report.

Farmers' advocacy groups called on Congress Monday to reauthorize, "with adequate funding," a program that provides mental health services to distressed American farmers and their families.

Each year, an estimated 2 million people suffering from mental illness are booked into county jails. In Kansas City, Missouri, like other places around the country, officials are looking for a better way to get those people the help they need to get back on their feet. John Yang reports in partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting.

Mega-star Mariah Carey has done the world, and herself, a great service by sharing the story of her struggles to regain her health and sense of self after receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder in 2001.

We know who they are long before they do it. Before people kill, they espouse hatred and blame others for their problems. They are verbally abusive and threatening. They look for the confrontation in every interaction. They deflect kindness. They curse at strangers. They threaten to hurt animals, girlfriends, rivals—and may even do so. We are repelled by their hostility, but at the same time they infuriate us, and we want to strike back. They are offensive and ostracized.

When his adopted son, then 10 years old, started to hear voices and act violently, Matthew Timion knew the boy needed psychiatric help. He did not realize how difficult it would be to pay for it.