It’s nothing new . . .

The study of human behavior is believed to date all the way back to 1550 BC with something called the Ebers papyrus that contained a short description of depression. Many years later, there was the Dead Sea Scrolls Manual of Discipline (100 BC), which talked about human nature and temperament. Then, of course, there were Sigmund Freud and Ivan Pavlov and Dr. Phil.

When we look at behavioral health as we head into 2007, what do we see? We see teens facing hectic schedules, cutthroat competition for college entrance, violence in their schools and neighborhoods, increased exposure to drugs, and all the perils of the internet. We see two-income families struggling to pay skyrocketing mortgages while lamenting the lack of low-cost, high-quality childcare and, of course, trying to keep up with the price of gasoline, rising healthcare costs, and the stress of the holidays. And then we see the fallout: sleepless nights, debilitating stress, and, sometimes, substance abuse.

But there are ways to fight back. Please join us in this edition of the magazine for some truly inspiring journeys of recovery and some effective strategies for maintaining good mental health all year round.

Steven J. Packer, M.D.
President/CEO