This year, our Fundraising Gala will honor Carrie Fisher, Grammy and Emmy nominated actress, author and Silver Hill alumna. With her honest examination of her own mental illnesses, laconic wit and deadpan humor, I am certain the evening not only be an incredibly entertaining and successful fundraiser, but a heartfelt discussion of mental health progress and challenges in the U.S.

As a parent, we must teach our children to navigate their lives safely and help them balance school, recreation, family, and friends. Yet even with all the new electronic distractions, many parenting principles — such as teaching your kids how to behave towards others — not only have not changed, but actually transcend the newest gadgets or fads. If you find your child has a personality characteristic that needs tweaking then, yep, it is your responsibility to do so.

Mental illnesses strike all ages, genders, ethnic groups, races and nationalities. These illnesses cannot be overcome through will power alone and are not related to a person's character or intelligence. Falling along a continuum of severity, the National Institute of Health reports that 25 percent of the adult population will experience a mental health disorder in a given year; one in six of those will be seriously debilitating.

When we think of suicide, we think of the act itself: a one-time, isolated—and tragic—event. But suicide rarely occurs without warning. It is the final sad step in a life unnecessarily taken over by illness and despair. In fact, 90 percent of people who kill themselves have a diagnosable and treatable mental illness. In other words, suicide is very often preventable.

Move-in day is an annual ritual if you are the parent of a college student. But while lugging heavy suitcases up too many flights of stairs may leave you exhausted, it probably leaves your son or daughter feeling adventurous and excited. Chances are, you go home and collapse and they go out to one of many welcome parties where old friends are reunited and new friends are made — and chances are, there will be plenty of drinking.

At Silver Hill, we are frequently asked about seeking help — when is it time, what are the options. As the hospital's Physician-in-Chief, I'm going to try and give you some answers. Before discussing what I consider to be my basic guidelines, there is one rule that is hard and fast, no matter what: If a person is in danger of harming him/herself or anyone else, get immediate help. Take them to the ER, a psychiatric facility, or call 911.  In fact, calling 911 is probably the best option. An individual in that state is volatile and unpredictable and it is best to call professionals.

This is my inaugural blog post on anything ever ­­–­ ­and on behalf of all the staff here at Silver Hill Hospital, let me be the first to say: Hello Neighbors. A warm and heartfelt greeting to all of you who have driven past our 42 acres on Valley Road, heard our name in passing or read about us in the media. This blog is a chance for us to reach out and begin a two-way conversation with you about mental health and wellness.