Explore

988 is a start. Now we need a place for people in crisis to go | Opinion

988 is a start. Now we need a place for people in crisis to go | Opinion

About 137 million Americans live in a federally designated mental health professional shortage area. We are only meeting roughly 27% of the need.

Sequoia Healthcare District Invests in Mental Health Accessibility Across All Ages

Sequoia Healthcare District Invests in Mental Health Accessibility Across All Ages

The Sequoia Healthcare District is actively investing in making mental health care accessible to residents across all stages of life, emphasizing that mental health is an integral part of overall health. Pamela Kurtzman, CEO of Sequoia Healthcare District, highlights that while September marks National Suicide Prevention Month and National Recovery Month, awareness alone is insufficient. The District focuses on tangible investments in prevention, early intervention, counseling, crisis response, and treatment through community-based organizations. These efforts address diverse needs, from children facing anxiety and trauma to adults struggling with stress and substance use, and older adults experiencing grief and isolation. Over the past three years, the District has allocated nearly $15 million in grants to support various behavioral health programs, including counseling, mentoring, bereavement services, and family-centered mental health initiatives. This community-based approach acknowledges that no singl...

OCD Affects 2.3% of U.S. Adults, Often Misunderstood as Common Habits

OCD Affects 2.3% of U.S. Adults, Often Misunderstood as Common Habits

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a clinically diagnosed mental health condition affecting an estimated 2.3% of U.S. adults at some point in their lifetime, according to data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Despite its prevalence, the term 'OCD' is frequently misused in everyday language to describe preferences for tidiness or organization. Medically, OCD is characterized by a cycle of intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) performed to alleviate that distress. These obsessions and compulsions must be time-consuming, often exceeding one hour daily, or cause significant impairment in daily functioning to meet diagnostic criteria as defined by the American Psychiatric Association's DSM-5-TR and the World Health Organization's ICD-11. Common symptom categories include fears of contamination leading to excessive cleaning, repeated checking behaviors, a need for symmetry and order, and intrusive thoughts about harm or taboo to...

Nashville Tennessean

Dolly Parton's story shows why caregivers need support, too | Opinion

Dolly Parton's story shows why caregivers need support, too | Opinion

Dolly Parton's final interview highlights the hidden toll of caregiving. Learn why you must prioritize yourself.

SpiritsandChocolates Transforms Spirits into Artisan Chocolate Bonbons

SpiritsandChocolates Transforms Spirits into Artisan Chocolate Bonbons

SpiritsandChocolates Transforms Spirits into Artisan Chocolate Bonbons

How did the U.S. Baseball Team win 2000 Olympic Gold

How did the U.S. Baseball Team win 2000 Olympic Gold

The 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, marked a pivotal moment for U.S. baseball on the international stage. For the first time in Olympic ...

Brisk Walking Offers Significant Mental Health Benefits, Including Stress Reduction and Improved Mood

Brisk Walking Offers Significant Mental Health Benefits, Including Stress Reduction and Improved Mood

Brisk Walking Offers Significant Mental Health Benefits, Including Stress Reduction and Improved Mood

Germany’s foreign minister visits the ICC, pledging full support despite Trump's sanctions

Germany’s foreign minister visits the ICC, pledging full support despite Trump's sanctions

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has visited the International Criminal Court to show support for the tribunal

Museums Emerge as Key Partners in U.S. Mental Health and Well-Being Initiatives

Museums Emerge as Key Partners in U.S. Mental Health and Well-Being Initiatives

Museums across the U.S. are increasingly being recognized as vital resources for mental health and well-being, moving beyond their traditional roles as cultural institutions. This shift is driven by the growing demand for mental health support and the recognition of loneliness as a public health issue. Institutions are partnering with healthcare providers to offer programs that leverage the calm environments, trusted public status, and memory-sparking collections of museums. For instance, some doctors are now prescribing museum visits as part of social prescribing initiatives, connecting patients with non-medical community activities to address issues like loneliness, anxiety, and low mood. These programs often involve guided visits, interactive sessions, and opportunities for social engagement, demonstrating a proactive approach by museums to contribute to public health.

Journaling Offers Evidence-Based Techniques to Combat Overthinking and Improve Mental Well-being

Journaling Offers Evidence-Based Techniques to Combat Overthinking and Improve Mental Well-being

Journaling is increasingly recognized as a valuable tool for mental health, offering structured methods to address overthinking, rumination, and anxiety. Research, notably from psychologist James Pennebaker's expressive-writing studies since the 1980s, indicates that writing about stressful topics for 15-20 minutes over several days can lead to modest but real improvements in mood and health. The core mechanism involves translating circular, abstract thoughts into linear sentences, providing a structured form of processing that mental replay often lacks. Techniques like scheduled 'worry time,' where individuals postpone worries to a fixed daily appointment, have shown to significantly reduce worry within weeks. Additionally, writing a specific to-do list before bed can help individuals fall asleep faster by offloading unresolved thoughts. However, experts caution against journaling becoming a form of rumination, emphasizing the importance of time-limited sessions and concluding with a concrete next step or...

Smartphone Use Before Age 13 Linked to Increased Risk of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

Smartphone Use Before Age 13 Linked to Increased Risk of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Adolescents

A new study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open indicates that children who own smartphones by age 12 are more likely to develop eating disorder symptoms by age 14. The research, based on a survey of nearly 9,000 adolescents across the United States, found that 24% of 12-year-olds with smartphones reported at least one eating disorder symptom two years later, compared to less than 16% of their peers without smartphones. Dr. Jason Nagata, the study's lead author, suggests that smartphones expose young people to appearance-focused content that can foster unhealthy eating behaviors. The study also revealed that kids with smartphones at 12 were twice as likely to link their self-worth to their weight and 1.5 times more likely to attempt weight control through methods like low-calorie diets or excessive exercise.

U.S. Blocks UN Pandemic Readiness Declaration, Citing Unresolved Issues

U.S. Blocks UN Pandemic Readiness Declaration, Citing Unresolved Issues

The United States has withheld its support for a High-Level Declaration on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response at the United Nations General Assembly. The U.S. representative stated that critical issues remain unresolved, including the inclusion of 'divisive ideologies that lack definitional consensus' and references to an unfinished negotiation on pathogen access and benefit sharing. This objection has prevented a consensus agreement on the draft text, pushing the decision back to the General Assembly for a potential vote before its annual session concludes in December. Several delegations, including Peru and Cabo Verde, had anticipated the declaration's adoption, while the Netherlands expressed regret over the inability to reach a common political outcome. General Assembly President Khalilur Rahman acknowledged broad support but noted ongoing observations, confirming further consideration by Member States.