I wanted to comment on “The Hard Cell” (6/20). The article did a wonderful job of not only raising readers’ awareness of the issue of prison/jail overflow, but also in describing the challenges faced by people with mental illnesses. What was especially refreshing about the article was the way it showed the challenge faced by those who offer care to the mentally ill. The seemingly seamless weaving of the two issues is to be applauded.

I believe it is also important that you know that Howard University, along with the National Institute of Mental Health, is conducting a series of mental-health studies targeting members of communities not unlike those the article’s principal characters come from. We are on a major campaign designed to recruit African-Americans and members of other underrepresented groups to participate in mood- and anxiety-disorder research.

Research Associate

Mood and Anxiety Disorders Project

Howard University