380 Mindy Greiling: Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches

380 Mindy Greiling: Schizophrenia: Three Moms in the Trenches

From Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined by Gail Zelitzky and Catherine Marienau

May 12, 2026 · 41 min · Season 7

About this episode

Mindy Greiling discusses her journey as a mother advocating for mental health reforms after her son's struggles with schizophrenia.

This episode, first released in 2021, is a reminder that Mental Health Awareness Month requires all of us to tell our stories. We checked back in with Mindy and learned that, even though she is now retired, she continues to advocate for reforms in mental health, policy, and affordable housing. “I love being retired; I can activate for anything I want.” She is married for 55 years and retired for sixteen. Her son continues to receive the help he needs. "There is no way we are going to have a better mental health system if we don’t tell our stories." Mindy was a state legislator (Minnesota’s House of Representatives, 1993-2013) when her son Jim's first psychotic episode manifested itself in a delusion demanding he kill her. Her seat at the table helped her to change the policies that would have barred her from saving his life. She first had to overcome her fear that Jim would be like her beloved grandmother who disappeared into a mental hospital when she was 10. Mindy was determined not to let this happen and is responsible for these reforms: · Founded the nation’s first bipartisan state mental health caucus, focusing on raising awareness, funding, and policy reform Marshall…

People in this episode

Hosts: Gail Zelitzky, Catherine Marienau

Guest: Mindy Greiling

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Minnesota’s House of Representatives, Marshall Independent, Access Press

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