Dawn McConnell wonders what her son William should do when his high school years end a year from now.

William can graduate with a special education diploma, or put his diploma on hold and go on for job training through the intermediate school district until age 26.

Take a deep breath and a sigh of relief. Today, winter officially ends.

While yesterday, snow fell from the skies one last time as winter said good-bye, a corner has been turned and not long from now, birds will be singing and flowers will be blooming. Believe it or not, spring has arrived.

Lynn Fuller won’t be afraid to speak up the next time she thinks someone is depressed or might be considering suicide.

Unfortunately, Fuller learned that lesson the hard way. Last October, Fuller’s brother died by suicide. Fuller said it was no secret that her brother was depressed, and he even was in therapy to help him deal with his depression. Despite knowing all of this, Fuller said when she got the phone call that her brother had died, it was unexpected.

TRAVERSE CITY — Dr. Frank Tosiello found a way to combine his passion for painting and his commitment to the mental health community by offering one of his paintings for sale to benefit Northern Lakes Community Mental Health.

The painting, a replica of Rembrandt's "A Woman Bathing in a Stream," was sold to an anonymous purchaser for $510, who then donated the painting back to the mental health organization for permanent display. Proceeds raised from the sale will be used for art supplies for free-to-the-community art groups.

by Jeff Broddle NOTE: A recent telephone survey of adults in Northern Lakes CMH’s service area indicates overwhelming support for insurance parity. 93% of those surveyed strongly or somewhat agree that health insurance plans should be required to provide equal coverage for people with mental illness and for those with physical illness. Imagine your doctor [...]