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Hello, Andover News readers....
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Andover News and the daily newsletter will resume publication on Tuesday. Thanks for your patience as I took much-needed time to address my health.
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Transparency is the most important component of good journalism, and everyone receiving this note has invested time, possibly money, and definitely trust in Andover News and me. Because of that, I have made the decision to offer a brief explanation of where I have been these past few weeks. As with everything I do on Andover News, it will be up to you, the reader, to determine how you process and weigh this information.
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On Jan. 2, I was admitted into McLean Hospital, an inpatient psychiatric hospital considered the best in the world, in Belmont after a rapid worsening of my condition over the past six months. I have wrestled with clinical depression for most of my life and, in October 2022, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. With the love and support of my kick-ass wife and sisters, I was able to get the help that quite literally saved my life – a luxury many people do not have.
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I have not tried to hide my mental health issues – I have been writing extensively about my struggles since my initial bipolar diagnosis – but I understand that people have a wide range of views on the subject and how they perceive people with disorders like mine. I hope my track record to date shows I am capable and, frankly, good, at providing local news coverage for Andover.
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But I also understand this subject can make many people uncomfortable. I do not judge you if you are one of those people or if reading this shakes your trust. It will be up to me to prove you wrong and maybe, in the process, give you new insight on the capabilities of people like me.
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Right now, I am as mentally healthy as I can ever remember being; my diagnosis was corrected, my medication regimen was stabilized, and I learned new techniques to help manage my bipolar illness during my 10-day stay at McLean. I do not expect any further interruptions to my work, but I will always prioritize my health over everything else, including Andover News. This is something I will have to manage and continue to learn how to manage for the rest of my life, but like a lot of medical issues – physical or mental – that is possible with the right support system.
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Expect the resumption of coverage on Andover News to ramp up as opposed to hitting the same pace I have maintained since the start. I will be starting and need to focus on a two-week outpatient program on Friday to continue my recovery, and the biggest takeaway from the past two weeks is I need to make sure I take care of myself before I take care of others. And that includes Andover News readers; I hope you agree with me that if I need to slow the pace of how I cover Andover, it is still better than no coverage at all.
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I also want to make it clear I am eager to answer any questions or concerns that arise from this note. In much the same way I believe discussion on a site like Andover News helps us better understand the place we have chosen to live, I believe open discourse about mental health is crucial to removing stigmas and improving care. I do not want my daughters to grow up in a world like the one I grew up in, where the stigma of ending up in a place like McLean deters so many people from getting the care they need.
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So please let know what you want to know. Otherwise, I’ll see you all on Tuesday with the latest news in Andover.
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Dave Copeland
Publisher and Founder
Andover News
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An Important Update For Readers
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The good news is I'm feeling much better than I was a week ago. The not-so-good news is I still need some time to get back up to full speed.
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Garden Club Hosting Noted Author
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Noted horticulturist and author Tovah Martin will discuss her book, "The Indestructible Houseplant" at the Andover Garden Club's membership meeting on Jan. 9.
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Deadline Nears For 'Citizens Who Care' Nominations
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Established in 1996, Rotary's Citizens Who Care & Educator of the Year is Andover's longest running program honoring outstanding community volunteers.
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Send us your news tips: Know about a person or group doing something interesting in Andover? An issue we should be covering? Have a press release for us to consider? Submit a news tip today!
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Thanks for reading. See you soon!
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