The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism
2006-2007

Andrea Ball
Reporter
Austin American-Statesman
Austin, Texas, USA

TOPIC: Write a feature-length article that chronicles the emotional and psychological burdens surrounding a family dealing with a premature birth.

Rosedale Foundation
The Rosedale Foundation gave Savannah Borden her voice.

'Including Samuel' Puts Relationship Into Perspective
I sigh the minute I see "Including Samuel" on my desk.

Queer Prom Gives Austin Youths Chance to Be Themselves
David McClendon is in prom planning mode.

New Center Caters to Special NeedsKids
The crowds were too loud, the lights too bright, the lines too long for the 6-year-old Georgetown boy, who has autism. Trips to the store ultimately ended in tears and tantrums.

Mike's Place Helps Memory Patients and Their Caregivers Alike
It's Wednesday morning and a half-dozen seniors are sitting at Mike's Place.

Helping the Sick and Homeless
Verta Freison spent years drinking and taking drugs. She went to prison, lost her family, slept in homeless camps and struggled with heart, kidney and blood-pressure problems.

Mental Health Programs Hit Hard in Proposed Budget Cuts
More than 20,000 Texans who receive state-funded mental health services would lose care under budget cuts proposed this week by the Department of State Health Services.

Getting to Know the Homeless
Jim Briggs missed a lot of things when he was homeless.

After Ending Husband's Life, Woman Tries to Go On With Hers
Kim Yarbrough glows with pride as she shows off the small shrine she made for her late husband, Lloyd.

Years After Mental Health Overhaul, New Picture of Needs Emerging
Six years ago, Texas leaders knew the state mental health system was in bad shape. They knew it couldn't help everyone; that patients got few services; that community mental health centers didn't consistently measure how well programs worked; that care varied from center to center.

More Than Half of State Health Department's Proposed $245 million in Cuts Would Affect Mental Health
More than 20,000 Texans who receive state-funded mental health services would lose care under budget cuts proposed this week by the Department of State Health Services.

Should Governments Ban the R-Word?
Claudia Cardenas has heard the "r-word" her whole life.

Tiny Babies, Fragile Families
About a month ago I wrote about a writer, Andrea Ball, who was asking for input from preemie parents. Visit The Austin American-Statesman's website to read the series. The series profiles the struggles of one family dealing with a premature birth.

Jared Loughner and the Stigma and the Reality of Mental Illness
Since six people were killed and 13 were wounded at a Tucson, Ariz., grocery store on Jan. 8, the media have focused on the mental health of Jared Loughner, who is charged in the shootings. They've detailed his political rants on YouTube and MySpace. They've scrutinized his bizarre behavior in his college classes.

Homeless Man Gets Off the Streets, Wants to Help Others
Dennis Morris was living in a homeless camp, drinking, drugging and sleeping in a tent when he decided he'd had enough.