Student suicide rates have been steadily increasing, with recent reports citing the highest recorded number of deaths by suicide across college campuses in years. Annually, more than 1,100 college students die by suicide, and another 24,000 attempt to take their lives. These concerning numbers highlight...
The holidays can be a time full of joy, wonder, and excitement for many people, but for some, it can be the most difficult time of the year. The demands of shopping for gifts, decorating, preparing meals, and anticipating family get-togethers can lead some people...
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical healthcare workers were widely celebrated as the heroes they are – individuals working tirelessly and selflessly on the front lines to provide much-needed care for those who needed it most. While nurses and physicians were recognized for the...
Even before the pandemic, mental health services in the United States were approaching capacity. A brief prepared by the Department of Health and Human Services in March 2020 concurred. The report examined trends in this field from 2014 to 2018 and found that: Utilization rates...
While the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the discussion around mental health awareness, the conversation is especially nuanced when it comes to communities of color. For this very reason, our focus shifts to the individualized mental health challenges that underrepresented populations in America are facing throughout...
The pandemic especially impacted the lives of our healthcare workers, who were expected to go out when everyone else was expected to stay inside and socially and physically distance themselves from the rest of the world. Most of us attempted to cope with the fear...
Throughout the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies celebrate Pride Month. While many use the month to celebrate freedoms, build awareness, and encouraging diversity, it is important to remember that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trangender, queer, questioning, and other non-binary individuals are part...
For those outside of the military, Memorial Day is oftentimes referred to as the “unofficial start to summer.” The holiday weekend conjures up visions of barbeques, beach trips, and time off with family and friends. Yet, for veterans and their loved ones, this weekend may...
May 15-21 is National EMS Week. This annual celebration was first instituted in 1974 by President Gerald Ford to honor the hard work and sacrifice that paramedics, EMTs and the entire EMS workforce offer to communities all around the United States. This awareness week highlights...
This year, Mental Health Awareness Month feels especially timely, as scientific publications and news pieces continue to chronicle the ongoing mental health crisis in America. COVID, and its impact across all areas of life has triggered an alarming spike in feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety,...
On March 28th, the Biden-Harris Administration submitted its presidential budget proposal for the 2023 fiscal year. While this action is just the first step in the lengthy budgetary process, it offers an interesting insight into the White House’s spending and policy priorities moving towards the...
Bodybuilding has long captivated audiences. Once upon a time, star ironmen like Arnold Schwartzenegger were admired, but not often imitated. One would have to visit a Gold’s Gym or similar spot to find individuals pursuing similar lifestyles. It wasn’t often that one would be inundated...
Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve been hearing about the devastating impact that COVID-19 has had on our collective mental health. This crisis has become so dire that in his first State of the Union address, President Biden took the time to highlight the...
We spend roughly one-third of our lives asleep – and for good reason. Quality sleep is integral to feeling – and functioning – well across our waking hours. During sleep, we relax and recover while our mind and body recharges. A national study seeking to...
With events like the Winter Olympics and Superbowl LVI recently taking place, it’s no surprise that many of us are fixated on sports more than usual. These marquee events highlighted impressive feats of athleticism, provide hours of entertainment, and create a point of connection for...
Celebrated annually on the third Friday in February, National Caregivers Day offers a chance to honor the most compassionate among us. Today, an estimated 53 million Americans identify as caregivers, which equates to 21% of the population. While this number already represents a startling increase...
With the Winter Olympics underway in Beijing, athletes from around the world are readying themselves to perform at their best. While the opening ceremony, medal counts, and displays of athleticism in snow and ice are typically the main topics of conversation, these Winter games also...
The ongoing pandemic has put many of us under considerable strain. Over the last few years, we’ve seen the state of mental health in America continue to deteriorate at alarming rates, with more than 50 million Americans living with at least one mental health condition....
The past couple of years of uncertainty, loss, and change have had a profound impact on our nation’s youth. Even prior to the pandemic, rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among adolescents had been steadily rising for a decade. In 2019, COVID-19’s emergence pushed the...
In 2020, Michelle Obama sat down with Oprah Winfrey and was asked the meaningful question: “What do you appreciate most now about your body today?” Instead of singling out a specific aspect of her body, the former First Lady took the opportunity to lay out her...
It’s supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but is it? Emotions are more intense during the holidays than other times throughout the year, and celebrating with family and friends brings about a diverse range of feelings. While many people experience joy and...
Part Two in a Series On October 19th, 2021, a variety of leading pediatric organizations including the Children’s Hospital Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in children’s mental health. This emergency was brought on by challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic,...
Part One in a Series More than a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no surprise that Americans continue to struggle with their mental and behavioral health. Within our families and communities, there have been irreparable changes that continue to affect us, even...
In the last year and a half, we’ve watched in awe as first responders like doctors, nurses, paramedics, and even coroners and medical examiners have stepped up to the incredible demands put on them by COVID-19. Most trained professionals could see the crushing wave of sickness...
For a variety of reasons, the 2020 Summer Olympics was vastly different from previous Olympic games. First, they were delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing many athletes to train for much longer periods of time than they could have imagined. They...
Children across the United States are heading back to school--many for the first time in over a year. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers were seeing more students with emotional trauma, depression, and anxiety. The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and other publications have...
Do you like listening to podcasts? Mental Health New Radio has a new podcast series called “The Self-Care Chronicle with Dr. Marsha Brown – Mental Wellness for the Mental Health Professionals” that’s absolutely worth a listen for anyone working in the field of behavioral healthcare. Self-Care...
Making self-care a priority is essential when you work in behavioral healthcare. Day in and day out, you help others navigate challenges in their own lives – which can take a personal toll on you. In addition to the work you do normally, COVID has...
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the massive stratification of our society. In March 2020, the world seemed to shut down overnight, as stay at home orders were issued and businesses of nearly every type shuttered or moved their operations online. While everyone else was...
Part Two in a Series The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the ACA, greatly expanded both access and affordability for healthcare. Mental health was also addressed, under a portion of the ACA known as the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity...
The holidays can bring about a wide variety of emotions, but this year has added another layer of stress. With cases still escalating during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are making the tough decision to stay home for the holidays, forgoing big traditional gatherings. While...
PART ONE IN A SERIES The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as the ACA, expanded healthcare access and affordability. A portion of the ACA, known as the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA), strives to ensure that mental health and...
Many mental healthcare workers start their careers with a clear sense of purpose in their work. There is a level of intrinsic value that comes with working in a profession that is focused on meeting the needs of others. Unfortunately, it can be easy for...
COVID-19 swept the United States in the spring of 2020. Seemingly overnight, businesses shuttered, schools closed, and everyone not deemed an “essential worker” began to shelter at home. While the economy is now reopening in an uneven state-by-state, and even city-by-city patchwork, the pandemic is...
Listen in on an incredible conversation with Hersch Wilson, a 30-year veteran volunteer firefighter/EMT, and author of "Firefighter Zen: A Field Guide to Thriving in Tough Times." Hersch offers insightful wisdom to help people thrive during stressful times. He shares his thoughts about how to...
Families benefit from the support and structure of their community. Sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic has thrown social networks into disarray, and anxiety associated with COVID-19 has magnified everyday stressors. Sudden loneliness and stress can increase susceptibility to substance misuse, addiction, and relapse....
Part One in a Series Enacted in 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has expanded healthcare access and affordability for tens of millions of people in the United States. Part of the ACA is the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)....
A whirlwind of events over the past few months has added daily stressors to our lives, making it harder to cope, let alone thrive. A healthy approach to nutrition helps us manage external stressors and calibrate our mental health. A well nourished brain allows us...
The global coronavirus pandemic has had worldwide mental health repercussions. Long-term stress has exacerbated existing behavioral health conditions, and social isolation has increased feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Chronic stress and economic instability have created a breeding ground for psychological distress. When it comes...
If you have teenagers in your life, you’ve probably seen firsthand how COVID-19 has uprooted their lives and norms. But until recently, most research focused on how adults and younger children are coping. Now, a survey conducted in May by the National 4-H Council is...
Smartphones were first introduced to the mass market in 2007. While there are both positives and negatives that have come from using this innovative technology, the change in culture and society — as it relates to physical and mental health — has been dramatic. Studies have...