On families and mental health
Because it's not just those with mental health issues who need help
Welcome to Our Mental Notes by Deanna Csomo McCool. I’m a science writer and “survivor” of suicide loss of a child. I care about families of those who struggle with mental illness, because it's not only the person who has mental illness who suffers in silence and with stigma.
A former newspaper reporter, I’ve spent more than 20 years in the communications industry wearing a variety of hats and writing about a variety of topics. Science was one of my first loves, and after freelance writing from home for my children’s sake - especially for my older daughter, who had mental health issues from about age 5 - I earned my master’s in science writing from Johns Hopkins and now write about science for a top university. I freelance and teach science journalism as well, and one of my articles was chosen for publication in the 2020 anthology, Best American Science and Nature Writing.
It’s my goal to share how families can understand and navigate the minefield of pediatric mental health. Have you felt stigmatized? Alone? Confused about diagnoses? I’ll share my personal experiences and report about new advances and pitfalls in the field. I’m not a neuroscientist, but I’ll help describe the science in terms you can use, with the compassion you need.
Please sign up now so you don’t miss the first issue.
In the meantime, tell your friends!