A fundamental goal of parenting is to help children grow and thrive to the best of their potential. Parents anticipate protecting their children from danger whenever possible, but sometimes serious danger threatens, whether it is manmade, such as a school shooting or domestic violence, or natural, such as a flood or earthquake. And when a danger is life-threatening or poses a threat of serious...

As a public health physician and psychiatrist who has described the development of people with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders over the past twenty years, I was honored to participate in the session, Blamed and Ashamed, at the recent Federation’s Annual Conference. The presentation took place in Washington, D.C. on December 2, 2000. I am pleased to recap my remarks for...