Robert Garrova
I cover mental health at a time when L.A. — and the nation — is failing people who live with a serious mental illness. The L.A. County jail system is the de-facto mental health institution for our region, and people who want help with their mental health often can’t get it, even if they can afford it. I’ll work to help Angelenos understand how we got here and what reforms aim to change things. I’ll do this through the stories of people struggling with their own mental health and those trying to get care for a loved one.
My reporting has taken me to the edge of wildfires in California, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, steps away from a robot that’s now exploring Mars, and into the homes of countless Angelenos.
I’ve had many jobs in radio. I used to help produce and direct the flagship show for Marketplace, a daily business and economic news show. I also spent a couple years in the Northeast working as a reporter. I found my love of audio journalism while interning on LAist's (formerly KPCC’s) Off-Ramp in 2013.
I was born and raised in SoCal. I’m most proud when my journalism can help raise the voices of people struggling in this beautiful region stricken by inequality.
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Despite the trend, the Sheriff's Department says it does not have data on how many incarcerated people have overdosed on drugs. -
In its second year, 988 calls coming from California area codes jumped 14%.
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The 40-year-old was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was fatally shot in May.
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A total of 96 beds where patients can get 24/7 psychiatric care are slated for the L.A. General Medical Center project.
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News of several overdoses at the Century Regional Detention Facility is prompting questions about Sheriff's Department transparency and accountability
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Experts warn there’s still much to be done to meet the mental health needs of people living on the streets. They say programs that provide psychiatrists in the field have shown promise.
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County officials say they'll continue on without city help. The program, which launched two years ago, was touted for innovation when it was first announced in 2020.
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The justices ruled 6-3 to reverse a lower court opinion that found bans on sleeping in public unconstitutional.
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Yong Yang, 40, was fatally shot May 2 by an LAPD officer in his family’s home after his parents made a call to the county Department of Mental Health asking for help.
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Both the city and county of L.A. have alternative response teams that can be called to respond when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.
