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.
-
The county mental health department connects people with therapists, support groups and other services. -
The state attorney general’s alleges that officers “allowed and, in some instances, encouraged” 69 fights among the youth. The 30 officers are charged with child abuse and endangerment.
-
Could music be prescribed for conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder? Researchers, musicians and at least one local company think it's possible.
-
Brandon Jay started the Altadena Musicians website where people can donate instruments to musicians affected by the fires.
-
About 50 people gathered Tuesday at La Cañada Presbyterian Church for the second meeting of what they call ‘The Order of the Phoenix.’
-
A state board found last year that the county repeatedly failed to meet minimum staffing requirements at the facility.
-
The county is still a long way from its goal of reducing response times to 30 minutes on average, so it is exploring ways to incentivize qualified job candidates.
-
Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a letter to Kaiser and the union president urging them to settle the strike through mediation.
-
Displaced Altadena residents grieve and support their neighbors as they wait in line for mail.
-
Around 38,000 people are under evacuation warnings after the fire quickly grew to more than 10,300 acres.
