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Listen Listen
Robert Garrova
What I cover
I’m always on the hunt for esoteric history and strange haunts since my first LAist/KPCC internship over a decade ago. And I break down complicated mental health stories in a place where the L.A. County jail is the de-facto mental health institution and the system of care can feel intractable.
My background
I started at LAist as an intern back in 2013. My public media journey includes time directing Marketplace with Kai Ryssdal and being very cold as a reporter in New Hampshire.
My goals
I want my coverage to fascinate and surprise SoCal residents, even the ones who have been here the longest. And I want my mental health stories to help people living with mental illness and their families understand complicated systems of care while feeling less alone in their journey.
Best way to reach me
I would love to hear from you if you have feedback or concerns about Explore LA or mental health stories. You can reach out by email, rgarrova@laist.com
Stories by Robert Garrova
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It’s yet another case that raises concerns about police response to mental health crises and puts the spotlight on the barriers to mental health care for L.A.’s immigrant community.
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Otro caso más genera preocupaciones sobre la respuesta de la policía ante las crisis de salud mental y pone a la vista las barreras que la comunidad inmigrante de Los Ángeles enfrenta para recibir atención especializada.
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Jail officials and county-appointed monitors alike say current care in the jails is severely deficient. Coroners' records reviewed by LAist show a jump in suicides inside L.A. County’s downtown jail complex in 2021.
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Activists with JusticeLA and other groups are demanding County Supervisors commit to closing MCJ without a replacement by March 2025.
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Edward Bronstein died in March 2020 while officers were forcibly taking a blood sample after his detention.
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His battle with schizophrenia ended on a California freeway. Family says mental health system failedFrank Campos jumped out of a car going 60 mph on his way to yet another care facility. His family hopes their story will help others exasperated by a broken-down infrastructure of care.
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The Los Angeles County Office of Education will partner with providers to offer mental telehealth services to more than a million kids at K-12 public schools.
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Current and former medical staff describe a working environment that is dysfunctional, abusive and detrimental to providing health care, with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sean Henderson at the center of the storm.
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A judge ruled the video could be released as part of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of 38-year-old Edward Bronstein, who died after a DUI stop in 2020.
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The vote to continue funding the contract comes amid extensive debate over how best to handle security on Metro’s lines.
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The lawsuit names four deputies who were on scene and accuses them of being “negligent,” “careless” and “using unjustifiable lethal force.”
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David Ordaz Jr. was in the midst of a mental health crisis when a family member turned to law enforcement for help. Now, charges have been filed against one of the deputies involved in his killing.
