Covering Mental Health:
A Resource Guide for Reporters and Editors
BOOKS
"Mental Health, United States," 1996, edited by
Ronald W. Manderscheid, Ph.D., and Mary Anne Sonnenschein,
published every two years by the Center for Mental Health
Services.
A must-have reference for every reporter who covers health
care. Includes chapters on behavioral managed care, mental
health epidemiological data on adults and children, information
on mental health in Medicaid programs, mental health services
in rural areas and data on mental health providers. For a
free copy, call (800) 789-2647.
"Criminalizing the Seriously Mentally Ill: The Abuse
of Jails as Mental Hospitals," a joint report of
the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the Public
Interest Research Group, 1992. For a copy, send $10 to Public
Citizen's Publications Dept., 2000 P Street NW, Suite 605,
Washington, D.C. 20036.
"The Mad Among Us: A History of the Care of America's
Mentally Ill" by Gerald N. Grob, professor of the
history of medicine at Rutgers University, Harvard University
Press (paperback), 1995.
"Media Madness: Public Images of Mental Illness,"
by Dr. Otto Wahl, Rutgers University Press, 1995. Examines
the prevalence, nature and impact of media portrayals of mental
illnesses.
"Quick Reference to the Diagnostic Criteria from
DSM-IV," published by the American Psychiatric Association.
Contains descriptions of all mental illnesses recognized by
the official coding system in the United States. A handy book
to have if you write about particular mental illnesses.
"When Someone You Love Has A Mental Illness: A Handbook
for Family, Friends and Caregivers," by Rebecca Woolis,
Jeremy Tarcher/Putnam Books, 1992.
"Caring for the Mind: The Comprehensive Guide to
Mental Health" by Dianne Hales and Robert Hales,
M.D. (Bantam Trade Paperback) 1996.
An excellent resource for any journalist who covers health.
This book is easy to read, loaded with information that can
be quickly assimilated. Also includes commonly asked questions
and the answers.
