Christine Herman
Story Archive
Friday
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter attends a rally at the U.S. Capitol in March 2008 when she helped get the mental health parity law enacted. Carter died on Nov. 19 at age 96. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
First lady Rosalynn Carter's legacy on mental health boils down to one word: Hope
Thursday
Julian Hernandez (right), 12, a seventh-grader at Hillside School in Illinois, says he feels much safer being back in school knowing that a weekly testing program is identifying those who are sick with COVID-19. Christine Herman/WILL hide caption
How Some Schools Are Using Weekly Testing To Keep Kids In Class — And COVID Out
Saturday
Larry Lieb, 69, feeds the cattle on his farm in Mode, Ill., on July 8. He says he feels safer having gotten the coronavirus vaccine. But he's not interested in trying to convince anyone else to get it. Christine Herman/WILL hide caption
As Trusted Voices, Farmers Could Be Key To Boosting Rural Vaccination Rates
Wednesday
Jennifer Gibaldi's daughter Alyssa, 17, began experiencing severe anxiety which left her catatonic during the pandemic last year. But finding help for Alyssa, who has Down syndrome, was challenging, as most health care providers wouldn't take kids with disabilities or they wouldn't take her insurance. Heather Walsh for NPR hide caption
How A Hospital And A School District Teamed Up To Help Kids In Emotional Crisis
Tuesday
Experts hope a new insurance provision included in the recent stimulus package could help stem rising maternal mortality in the U.S. Each year, about 700 American women die due to pregnancy, childbirth or subsequent complications. Getty Images hide caption
With Black Women At Highest Risk of Maternal Death, Some States Extending Medicaid
Monday
Wednesday
Rashida Humphrey-Wall (right) with her son Kai Humphrey at their home in Washington, D.C. Elissa Nadworny/NPR hide caption
How Schools Can Help Kids Heal After A Year Of 'Crisis And Uncertainty'
Monday
Before conducting the nasal swab test for COVID-19 at the Rantoul, Ill., clinic, researchers go out to greet each visitor and ask for basic identification and health information. Christine Herman/Illinois Public Media hide caption
To Help Farmworkers Get COVID-19 Tests And Vaccine, Build Trust And A Safety Net
Wednesday
Monday
Sandra's 17-year-old daughter, Lindsey, has autism. Lindsey thrives on routine, and got special help at school until the coronavirus pandemic cut her off from the trained teachers and therapists she'd come to rely on. Audra Melton for NPR hide caption
'I've Tried Everything': Pandemic Worsens Child Mental Health Crisis
Wednesday
Saturday
Thursday
University of Illinois graduate student Kristen Muñoz submits her saliva sample for coronavirus testing on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Christine Herman/Illinois Public Media hide caption
Swab, Spit Or Stay Home? A Wide Variety Of Plans To Keep Coronavirus Off Campus
Monday
Mayra Ramirez received a double lung transplant after COVID-19 caused irreversible damage to her lungs. Northwestern Medicine hide caption
'She Was So Sick': From COVID-19 Diagnosis To A Double Lung Transplant
Side Effects Public Media
'She Was So Sick': From COVID-19 Diagnosis To A Double Lung Transplant
Friday
The lungs of a young woman in her 20s became so damaged by COVID-19 that she could not survive without her blood being oxygenated outside her body on an ECMO machine. She received a double-lung transplant on June 5. In this photo taken before the transplant, the patient is being monitored by the ECMO team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Northwestern Medicine hide caption
Wednesday
Camdyn and Caydance Austin play together at their home in Windsor, Illinois. Christine Herman/Illinois Public Media hide caption
Friday
When Teens Abuse Parents, Shame and Secrecy Make It Hard to Seek Help
Sunday
José's son, who has schizophrenia, recently got into a fight that resulted in a broken window — an out-of-control moment from his struggle with mental illness. And it could increase his chances of deportation to a country where mental health care is even more elusive. Hokyoung Kim for NPR hide caption
A Young Immigrant Has Mental Illness, And That's Raising His Risk of Being Deported
Side Effects Public Media
A Young Immigrant Has Mental Illness, And That's Raising His Risk of Being Deported
Sunday
The Joliet Treatment Center, southwest of Chicago, is one of four facilities now providing mental health care to some of Illinois' sickest inmates. It's a start, say mental health advocates, but many more inmates in Illinois and across the U.S. still await treatment. Christine Herman/Illinois Public Media hide caption
Wednesday
Toni Hoy, at her home in Rantoul, Ill., holds a childhood photo of her son, Daniel, who is now 24. In a last-ditch effort to get Daniel treatment for his severe mental illness in 2007, the Hoys surrendered parental custody to the state. "When I think of him, that's the picture I see in my mind. Just this adorable, blue-eyed, blond little sweetie," Hoy says. Christine Herman/Illinois Public Media hide caption
To Get Mental Health Help For A Child, Desperate Parents Relinquish Custody
Side Effects Public Media
To Get Mental Health Help For A Child, Desperate Parents Relinquish Custody
Illinois Parents Relinquish Custody So Son Can Get Costly Medical Treatment
Side Effects Public Media
Illinois Parents Relinquish Custody So Son Can Get Costly Medical Treatment
Friday
Policymakers in Illinois and other states want to make it easier to get medical marijuana for pain relief. LPETTET/Getty Images hide caption
Lawmakers In Illinois Embrace Medical Marijuana As An Opioid Alternative
Side Effects Public Media
Thursday
Many cancer patients seek treatment with medical marijuana. Jupiterimages/Getty Images hide caption
When Cancer Patients Ask About Weed, Many Doctors Say Go For It
Side Effects Public Media
Friday
Physical therapist Ingrid Peele coaches Kim Brown through strengthening exercises to help her with her chronic pain, at the OSF Central Illinois Pain Center in Peoria. Kyle Travers/WFYI hide caption