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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
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The calls for reform come after LAPD fatally shot Takar Smith and Oscar Leon Sanchez during what appears to have been a mental health crisis.
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Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors called for unarmed response to mental health calls and traffic stops outside LA City Hall Tuesday Morning. Her cousin, Keenan Anderson, died Jan. 3 after being repeatedly tased by LAPD officers.
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The storms that pummeled L.A. caused mudslides that clogged up the network of freeways below Elysian Park, along with other damage over the weekend.
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An LAPD officer fatally shot Smith last week while he was experiencing a mental health crisis. A lawyer representing his family said the 45-year-old had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.
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LAPD Chief Moore also questioned officers' actions in the fatal shooting of Takar Smith, although not in two other fatal incidents.
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The 35-year-old was fatally shot by police on Jan. 3 after he allegedly stepped toward officers with a sharp metal object. Sanchez’s family said he was experiencing a mental health crisis.
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RAND Corporation researchers say there was a ‘remarkable’ shift in the U.S. from in-person to virtual mental health care during the pandemic.
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A dozen facilities in L.A. County will see an influx of funds thanks to the more than $480 million in grants for youth mental health coming from the state's Department of Health Care Services.
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The goal is to offer the suicide prevention training sessions virtually, in-person at a recreation center and at schools and churches around L.A starting early next year.
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The jail’s head doctor said he was facing a roughly 40% vacancy in mental health positions.
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According to a Gallup poll, four out of 10 U.S. workers say their job has a “somewhat” or “extremely” negative effect on their mental health.
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A patchwork of efforts across the city and county of L.A. struggle to meet the demand for psychiatric crisis response. “No matter how much you ask for the help, getting the help is not something that is guaranteed,” one mother told LAist.
