Author

Julie Riddle

Julie J. Riddle is a freelance journalist based in Jackson, Mich. and the editor of Jackson Magazine. She writes about quirkiness, connections, and the transformative power of informed compassion in her blog, withmarshmallows.blogspot.com. Learn more at juliejriddle.com.

Julie Riddle's Latest Articles

‘We just can’t compete’: Local farmers caught between high labor costs and cheap imports amid immigration uncertainty

Michigan farmers face rising labor costs and cheap imports amid immigration uncertainty.

‘Simplemente no podemos competir’: Agricultores del suroeste de Michigan atrapados entre altos costos laborales e importaciones baratas en medio de la incertidumbre migratoria
"Teenagers matter. They’re a part of our communities, our families, our friendships. Their feelings and their struggles matter." Eve Cole
Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors

Today’s teens face numerous challenges to their mental health, and nearly one in five teens surveyed reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. In 2023, nearly a third of U.S. teens received mental health treatment, according to the CDC report. In Michigan, some of those teens saw practitioners and joined groups at OnPoint, which provides behavioral health and homelessness services in Allegan County.  

"Teenagers matter. They’re a part of our communities, our families, our friendships. Their feelings and their struggles matter." Eve Cole
Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors

Today’s teens face numerous challenges to their mental health, and nearly one in five teens surveyed reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. In 2023, nearly a third of U.S. teens received mental health treatment, according to the CDC report. In Michigan, some of those teens saw practitioners and joined groups at OnPoint, which provides behavioral health and homelessness services in Allegan County.  

‘Folks aren’t left behind’: Climate change readiness includes protecting homes of most vulnerable

As local governments use regulations to protect against the impacts of a changing climate, several new efforts in Kalamazoo show how going green can boost local economies while keeping people most susceptible to the harm of climate change safe in their own homes. 

Kalamazoo embraces preapproved plans, zoning reform to turn vacant lots into homes

Several national housing-related organizations have applauded Kalamazoo’s preapproved housing program. The National Association of Home Builders highlighted the city’s approach to filling lots in a report about preapproved housing. Here's a look at how the program is going.   

Deb Messing oversees Sanilac County Community Mental Health communications efforts to the county's rural residents.
Rural mental health providers overcome stigma, rugged individualism, and distance to provide care

Here's how three Michigan community mental health agencies serving rural populations have found ways to meet their unique needs by developing innovative programs and effective outreach.

As teens experience mental health crisis, music therapy is one way they are finding help

With its nonthreatening familiarity and connection to the human brain, music gives therapists a door into teens’ emotions. Music therapy helps teens identify, verbalize, and study their emotions, empowering them to change the way they act and feel. 

Adolescentes en crisis mental encuentran alivio en musicoterapia

Con su familiaridad no amenazante y su conexión con el cerebro humano, la música ofrece a los terapeutas una puerta a las emociones de los adolescentes. La musicoterapia ayuda a los adolescentes a identificar, verbalizar y estudiar sus emociones, permitiéndoles cambiar la forma en que actúan y sienten.

Genetic testing: a new tool in prescribing mental-health meds

It often takes months of experimentation to find an effective psychotropic drug. Up to half of patients with major depressive disorder do not respond to the first antidepressant prescribed. Kalamazoo's Genemarkers is among those offering a promising tool to address that issue: a test that can result in prescribing drugs with greater accuracy.  

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