About Us

Helpguide was created in 1999 by the Rotary Club of Santa Monica with active participation by Rotarians Robert and Jeanne Segal following the tragic suicide of their daughter Morgan. Since then, a dedicated team of talented people have collaborated to create a free, non-commercial resource for people in need.

Helpguide’s mission is to empower you and your loved ones to understand, prevent, and resolve health challenges.

Helpguide received over ten million visits during the past 12 months.

A project of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica and WISE & Healthy Aging

The 170 members of the Rotary Club of Santa Monica carry out Rotary's motto of "Service above Self" in their personal, business and community life. The club has a wide variety of community and International service projects

About Rotary - Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Read more..

WISE & Healthy Aging focuses on preventing disease, educating for a healthy lifestyle and assisting with the special emotional and physical changes that come with aging.

Helpguide's Story

Editorial Review Board

Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. is a psychologist, sociologist, author, and community leader. Her books include Feeling Great, Living Beyond Fear and Raising Your Emotional Intelligence and the upcoming Emotionally intelligent Communication She coordinated several major conferences focusing on health, healing and emotional trauma.

Monika White, Ph.D.,is Executive Vice President of WISE & Healthy Aging and an Adjunct Professor of Gerontology at USC. She has worked with older adults and their families since the mid-1970s. An author, lecturer and teacher, she is considered a pioneer in the field of aging.

Jaelline Jaffe, Ph.D.,has been a licensed psychotherapist for 30 years, specializing in couple and relationship issues, eating disorders, adolescent treatment, and emotional aspects of medical conditions. Her counseling approaches life's problems as opportunities for growth and learning. “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”

Edison De Mello, MD, PhD is the founder and medical director of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine. The center’s goal is to employ safe and complementary approaches to healthcare while also addressing a person's emotional and spiritual health.

Dr. Maggie Ney, ND is director of the Akasha Center’s women’s clinic. Her interest in naturopathic medicine is based on a belief that a practitioner should treat the cause of a symptom and not just the symptom itself.

Research, Writing and Editing

Robert Segal, M.A., Founder and Publisher, spearheaded the organization and management of creative projects for over 50 years. The product has ranged from aircraft identification systems to Holistic Health conferences to boutique office buildings to Helpguide. He credits his success to creativity, collaboration, communication, humor and hard work.

Melinda Smith, M.A., is the owner of Flair Copywriting. She has a master's degree in psychology and over ten years of experience as a health and lifestyle writer and editor.

Suzanne Barston is a freelance writer specializing in health and relationship issues. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Los Angeles Family Magazine, and has written for several national health publications.

Gina Kemp, M.A, has been a Helpguide contributor for over three years. Her experience includes freelance editing and website associate director.

Joanna Saisan, MSW, has been a regular contributor for over five years. She has eight years experience in the Mental Health field

Guest writers include Rabbi Naomi Levy, Bernie DeKoven, Mary Toscano, and Roger Goodman.

Additional writers who contributed to Helpguide’s articles include: Deborah Cutter, Psy. D., MFT, Tina de Benedictis, Ph.D., Douglas Russell, M.S.W., L.C.S.W., Ellen Jaffe–Gill, M.A., Linda Laucella, Christy Callahan M.A, Lisa Flores Dumke, M.A., Leslie Lindeman, John Dorsey, Pat Davies, Anita Goldstein, Sheila Hutman, Heather Larson, Amara Rose, Pat Sullivan, and Margot Winchester.

Website Development & Communications

Joelle Belmonte Lead Web Designer and Developer, has several years of designing & developing web sites in addition to print design and photography.

Jonathan Lhrar, Web Design and Development has extensive experience designing websites for several organisations including the BBC.

Heather Larson, Adrian Tarango and Jeff Bauer played major roles in Helpguide's development.

Steering Committee

Current members of Helpguide’s steering committee are:

• Robert Segal - Helpguide co-founder
• Jeanne Segal - Helpguide co-founder
• Grace Cheng-Braun - President and CEO of WISE & Healthy Aging
• Monika White - Executive Vice-President of WISE & Healthy Aging
• Barbara Bishop – Barbara Bishop Public Relations
• Nancy Freedman – Trust & Estate Law
• Simon Hunter – Composer
• Myles Pritchard  – Club Director, International Financial Advisor
• Douglas Russell, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.  – Medical Social Worker - UCLA Medical
• Steve Litvak - Print Shop owner

How is Helpguide Financed?

Helpguide’s purpose is the advancement of education regarding mental and physical wellness. We do not accept advertising of any kind and are primarily supported by the Rotary Club of Santa Monica and its members including Robert and Jeanne Segal.

Helpguide.org continues to grow in both scope and quality on a limited budget.  The professionals who create Helpguide’s articles and the website are paid a modest fee for their professional services. The steering and publicity committee members, editorial review board, and guest writers all donate their expertise and service. This helps keep expenses down to less than 2 cents per visit

Please help support the maintenance and expansion of this vital resource in whatever way feels right to you. All contributions are deeply appreciated and are tax deductible as allowed by law. WISE & Healthy Aging, an IRS Section 501 (c) 3 organization, is our fiscal sponsor.

To Make a Donation

Send a check payable to:

WISE & Healthy Aging,
1250 Sixth Street, Suite 400
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Note on Check: Helpguide Fund

Donors of $100 or more will receive a copy of Morgan’s Voice and be acknowledged in Friends of Helpguide.

Reader Feedback

We would like to hear about your experience with Helpguide, how you have used the information, what was particularly helpful and what was lacking.  Please go to our Contact Us page to give us your feedback.

Disclaimer and Policies

To learn more about our policies on choosing links, commercial sites, privacy and help with personal problems, visit Disclaimer and Policies.