We were terribly saddened at the loss of a fierce advocate for people with serious mental illness last week when we heard that Mary Barksdale had lost her battle with cancer on March 2nd in Athens, Alabama.

In honor of International Women’s Day, this week’s research blog focuses on how women with serious mental illness are overrepresented but underserved.

February’s research roundup highlights the urgency for connecting individuals with first-episode psychosis into treatment and new research pointing to molecular similarities among serious mental illnesses.

In the aftermath of another tragic mass shooting, expanding access to inpatient care for the mentally ill must be a top priority.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable mortality in the United States and is known to cause cancer, heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and other disorders.The alarmingly high rate of smoking among individuals with serious mental illness points to the urgent need to address this public health crisis.

Enormous levels of distress are felt by caregivers of individuals with serious mental illness, according to new research. On this Valentine’s Day, greater attention and compassion to the dedicated people caring for their loved ones with serious mental illness is needed.

Last September, I spoke to members of the Cambridge and Middlesex branch of National Alliance on Mental Illness in Massachusetts. I discussed the struggles of Dan and Kimberlee West, pillars of their community, and their son Tyler, who has been found criminally insane.

A new report indicates that a mental health system has been set-up behind bars, by default. And, unsurprisingly, it’s not particularly effective at providing care.

January’s research roundup highlights the delivery of mental health care in prison, as well as new breakthroughs in antipsychotics for schizophrenia.

Large gaps still remain in mental health parity, including out-of-network service use and physician reimbursements, according to a new groundbreaking report from Milliman Inc.