Digital Commons Network^™

After Being Ignored, Autistic Adults Find Their Place On The Spectrum, Leonardo A. Lopez Carreno

Capstones

Autistic adults have been historically ignored by researchers and clinical psychologists when discussing autism spectrum disorder. But the broadening of the diagnosis requirements for the disorder, as well as the perspectives from autistic adults that have been shared on social media, have made it so that autistic adults are being discussed more now than ever before, both in the autism community and among professionals in the field. This project puts together interviews with autistic people who have found communities online and in person, as well as the perspectives of researchers who have published studies about autism.

https://medium.com/@leonardolpezcarreo/after-being-ignored-autistic-adults-find-their-place-on-the-spectrum-6e131fc00796

Mindful Mind Project, Toussaint Campbell

Capstones

Mindfulness includes the methods one takes to care for themselves by acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations while conducting daily tasks. Mindfulness can manifest in unique actions and activities depending on an individual's needs. However, many lack education on mental health resources as well as access to the tolls that could be beneficial to them. This collection of opinion pieces takes a look at themes in a society where mindfulness can be incorporated and how practices can impact communities of color.

Link to capstone: https://mindfulmindproject.com/

Students With Mental Health Disabilities Suffer From Discrimination Across College Campuses, Abigail Nequa Napp

Capstones

Over the course of several months, we investigated and reported on how colleges and universities have been discriminating against students with mental health disabilities. We FOIA'd the Department of Education for a history of pending and resolved cases (from 2008 - November 2019) to uncover violations committed by colleges. In several instances, institutions discriminated and punished students instead of accommodating their mental health disabilities as required by law. We also reviewed recent lawsuits involving students against universities that focused on punitive leave of absence policies as well as wrongful death suits. This revealed further inefficiencies, deficiencies and tragedy in the …

Healing The Black Mind, Vanessa Etienne

Capstones

Due to an oppressive history, the African American community is more likely to have issues regarding mental health, but less likely to pursue professional treatment for it. However, as the perception of mental health care in the Black community starts to shift, many are finding unconventional ways to approach healing. http://vanessaetienne.tilda.ws

Off-Label, On Brand: How Psychiatric Drugs Reached Unsuspecting Youths, Charles J. May, Danielle Hyams, Larisa Karr

Capstones

This capstone project takes a deep dive into the world of off-label medicine, specifically focusing on psychiatric drugs for children. Off-label medicine is common practice, but not many people understand the potential dangers of this practice if doctors are not forthcoming and honest with their patients about potential side effects. Throughout this report, we detail the experiences of youths who took antipsychotics and antidepressants for off-label purposes, and the life-changing side effects the experienced as a result.

https://medium.com/@charlie.may/off-label-on-brand-how-psychiatric-drugs-reached-unsuspecting-youths-cdcb22315789

Art That Heals, Christina Cardona

Capstones

Beryl Brenner was a creative arts therapist for 40 years, and helped veterans heal from war traumas through art all across the city. For the past 11 years, she was at the Brooklyn Campus of the VA NY Harbor Healthcare system in Bay Ridge, where she developed the art therapy program. https://christinacardona1.wordpress.com

Overmedicated: Foster Kids In Crisis, Mary E. Wilson

Capstones

Nearly one in four foster children across the county is taking at least one psychotropic medication-- more than four times the rate for all children.

Psychotropic drugs are chemical substances that act primarily upon the central nervous system where they alter brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and/or behavior.

Over the last decade the use of psychotropic medications amongst children has more than doubled. It has yet to be determined what permanent affects such drugs have on children as they age, due to a limited number of studies.

http://marywilson1.wixsite.com/overmedicated

Lady Luck: The Rise Of Women Problem Gamblers, Antonia Massa

Capstones

Gambling addiction, once considered a nearly exclusively male affliction, is becoming more common among women. This story looks at the lives and addictions of two women problem gamblers. The project includes text, audio, images and a web app for smartphones, designed to help women who think they may have a gambling problem.