News 2025

Social media companies including Meta, YouTube, TikTok, and Snap Inc are facing lawsuits alleging that their platforms harmed users’ mental health during childhood, with claims raging from depression and eating disorders to self-harm and suicide. Although these cases are often labeled “social media addiction trials”, experts caution that the term addiction may be scientifically imprecise when applied to… Read More

CREWS, a DC based organization, is tackling the stigma surrounding vulnerability among Black men through spiritual healing circles. The sessions encourage emotional openness, helping participants overcome trauma and resist societal pressures to remain stoic. The inaugural event united over 20 men across generations, fostering mentorship and support networks. Leaders hope to expand the program, providing… Read More

While survival rates improve thanks to advanced treatments, the mental health challenges of breast cancer remain significant. Dr. David Penberthy and his team are studying how artificial intelligence and devices like smartwatches can track stress, sleep patterns, and emotional wellbeing. Their findings stress the importance of early intervention to reduce uncertainty and improve quality of… Read More

Heart Rate Variability (HRV), tracked by wearables, is more than a number: it’s a window into stress, recovery, and overall health. Research links higher HRV to calm alertness and exceptional longevity, while lower HRV may warn of sickness or burnout. HRV naturally varies by age and genetics, so long-term tracking is key.  Experts recommend improving… Read More

CREWS, a DC based organization, is tackling the stigma surrounding vulnerability among Black men through spiritual healing circles. The sessions encourage emotional openness, helping participants overcome trauma and resist societal pressures to remain stoic. The inaugural event united over 20 men across generations, fostering mentorship and support networks. Leaders hope to expand the program, providing… Read More

Starting this week, ChatGPT will prompt users to take breaks and reduce direct emotional advice, aiming to prevent unhealthy reliance on the chatbot. OpenAI acknowledged flaws in detecting delusional thinking and is working with doctors and researchers to improve the tool’s responses to sensitive situations.  These updates follow previous backlash over GPT-4o’s overly agreeable behavior…. Read More

Recent studies show that young liberals are reporting poorer mental health than their conservative peers, and one overlooked factor may be the habit of cutting off relationships over political disagreements. Clinical psychologist insights reveal a growing pattern called the “Five Ds”: defriending, declining to date, disinviting, decreasing contact, and dropping people due to different views. … Read More

Time blindness, an executive function issue affecting task timing and transitions, may be behind repeat tardiness. Experts say it’s common in people with ADHD, autism, and anxiety. While not a standalone diagnosis, it disrupts routines and daily life. Creating habits, breaking tasks into steps, and building predictable schedules can help mitigate its impact.

In the aftermath of devasting floods in Texas’ Hill Country that claimed over 100 lives -including 30 children- first responders and volunteer search teams continue the heartbreaking mission of recovering bodies. As families await closure, rescue workers like 24-year-old Mango Mellon are left to process the trauma in silence.  Mental health experts highlight the growing… Read More

Immy Nunn, known as “Deaf Immy” on TikTok, died after ingesting poison linked to an international online network operated by a Canadian man now facing multiple murder charges. Despite warning signs and a history of psychiatric illness, systemic failures in the UK’s mental health care- and lack of accessible resources for deaf individuals- contributed to… Read More

After more than 60 hours on a broadcast tower at American University, an unidentified man in a mental health crisis jumped to his death on Friday morning. He climbed the 321-foot tower Tuesday afternoon, prompting campus evacuations and a continuous emergency response.  Authorities said he had agreed to come down Thursday but remained on the… Read More

SAMHSA, the federal agency supporting mental health and addiction services, is being absorbed into the new Administration for Healthy America, sparking backlash. Under RFK Jr., and alongside a $1 billion budget slash, experts worry about losing scientific treatments in favor of unproven wellness ideas. With one-third of SAMHSA’s staff already gone, key programs like Methadone… Read More

The D.C. government and George Washington University have joined forces to support the city’s artists with affordable mental health services. The “Care for Creatives” program provides short-term, solution-oriented therapy tailored to the pressures of creative work, such as instability and anxiety.  Clients receive weekly counseling from trained interns, with sessions offered on a sliding scale… Read More

With Ohana, Dr. Susan Swick is leading a shift from treating mental illness to building mental resilience from the start. Located in Monterrey County, California and funded by Bertie Bialek Elliot, the initiative treats mental health as a life skill. Ohana focuses on early childhood experiences, especially the parent- infant bond, and teaches families to… Read More

Trump’s proposed budget cuts threaten critical public health programs addressing suicide, overdose, and addiction. The plan defunds Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMHSA) programs, weakens the CDC’s overdose initiatives, and dismisses DEI-focused research as ineffective. Advocated stress the importance of 988 crisis line funding, syringe services, and culturally targeted outreach. Mental health disparities could… Read More

The Trump administration told a DC court it may rescind a mental health parity rule aimed at ensuring equal insurance coverage for mental and physical health. The move comes in response to a lawsuit by the ERISA Industry Committee. The DOJ has asked to pause the case while HHS, Labor, and Treasury review the rule,… Read More

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing honored organizations and individuals at the 2025 Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)Summit for their commitment to expanding MHFAacross the US. Winners included the Mental Health Association in New York State, Erborian, and the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council, recognized for innovation, partnership, and excellence in MHFA training. Instructors and coordinators… Read More

Law enforcement and correctional officers risk their lives for public safety but suffer in silence from mounting mental health issues. The “defund the police” movement and negative portrayals have left officers feelings vilified and isolated. Officers’ suicides are alarming high, with Correctional Officer (COs) facing even greater risk. Initiatives like New Jersey’s NJRP-LE (New Jersey… Read More

In Washington, DC—often  called the “loneliest city”—Josh Korr’s sing-alongs are bringing people together in a unique, stress-free environment. These gatherings, where strangers meet to sing classic songs and let loose with kazoos, offer an antidote to the city’s high rates of anxiety and loneliness. With no focus on politics or daily life, participants connect through… Read More

VA mental health therapists are required to return to shared office spaces, despite being hired under remote telehealth arrangements, causing widespread confusion, stress and ethical concerns. A memo obtained by NPR shows that therapists are instructed to warn patients that sessions may not be fully confidential. Clinicians argue this violated core principles of mental healthcare… Read More

Professional Baseball player Jarren Duran revealed that his performance struggles in 2021-22 triggered severe mental health issues and a suicide attempt. He credits divine intervention for surviving and uses journaling and daily affirmations to stay focused. His candidness brings awareness to mental health challenges in professional sports. “I got to a point where I was… Read More

Studies reveal that our built environment has a significant impact on mental wellbeing. Features like open spaces, water elements, and balanced aesthetics contribute to stress relief and emotional stability. Developers are incorporating wellness focused designs in residential and commercial spaces to enhance overall quality of life. “Thoughtful interiors can reduce stress, enhance mood and promote… Read More

Federal workers are facing an escalating mental health crisis due to widespread job cuts under President Trump’s administration. Many report severe anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts as they fear for their livelihoods. The Department of Government Efficiency is leading efforts to eliminate 200,000 jobs, forcing employees into uncertainty.  Mental health professionals report a surge… Read More

Amid ongoing federal layoffs, many workers, including veterans and suicide prevention experts, are experiencing severe mental health struggles. For some, stress has triggered suicidal thoughts and panic attacks. Federal employees, who dedicate their lives to public service, feel dehumanized and unsupported as they face ridicule from figures like Elon Musk and President Trump. One suicide… Read More

Neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan argues that modern healthcare’s overdiagnosis trend is harming rather than helping patients. In her book The Age of Diagnosis, she highlights alarming statistics like a 787% increase in autism diagnoses in the UK between 1998 and 2018 and the overdiagnosis of Lyme disease.  She believes doctors are labeling symptoms without addressing root… Read More

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Mental Health explores the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), including semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), for treating cognitive and psychiatric conditions. Research from the University of Oxford analyzed preclinical and clinical data on these drugs in disorders like dementia, addiction, psychosis, and mood disorders.  Findings suggest they may improve cognition and… Read More

New research highlights the powerful link between gut bacteria and anxiety. Scientists found that microbes producing indoles help regulate brain activity in regions controlling fear and stress. Germ-free mice exhibited heightened anxiety, but probiotic treatments reduced symptoms.  This breakthrough suggests that probiotic supplements targeting indole production could serve as an innovative, drug-free approach to mental… Read More

Oliver Freeston, a Reform UK Councilor in Northeast Lincolnshire, received an official warning after controversial remarks about mental health during a council meeting. He claimed emergency services were overwhelmed by “prolific callers” and described mental health as “the 21st Century bad back.” Ambulance service officials countered, emphasizing the need for care regardless of call frequency. … Read More

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a medical condition impacting millions of parents in the US each year, characterized by persistent sadness, anxiety, and difficulty managing daily life after childbirth. It affects both biological and adoptive parents, disrupting family dynamics and infant development.  Despite its prevalence, PPD often goes undiagnosed, and many parents face barriers to seeking… Read More

The FDA has approved Johnson & Johnson’s Spravato (esketamine), the first standalone treatment for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD). Unlike traditional antidepressants, the nasal spray acts on NMDA receptors, providing faster relief. Spravato’s sales soared by 60% in 2024. Earning $780 million as an adjunct therapy.  The approval marks a shift in mental health care, broadening… Read More

The Biden-Harris administration has made historic investments in behavioral health care, expanding access through policies like The Safer Communities Act. However, despite increased access, the prevalence of mental health issues remains unchanged due to the “quality gap”—including challenges like  inconsistent adherence to evidence-based practices and inadequate outcome tracking.  Emerging technologies, such as AI and smartphone-based… Read More

Building resilience is essential for overcoming life’s obstacles. It requires more than inherent toughness; it involves developing essential skills. Adopting a growth mindset allows individuals to view setbacks as valuable learning experiences.  Regular self-care ensures physical and emotional wellbeing, empowering resilience. Setting realistic goals breaks challenges into smaller, manageable pieces, fostering a sense of achievement…. Read More

As the expiration of federal COVID-19 relief funding approaches, Texas lawmakers are prioritizing mental health services amid a projected $20 billion surplus. The funding challenges are compounded by understaffing at the 988-suicide hotline and the necessity to improve mental health programs in schools and communities.  Legislative efforts aim to replace lost funding, enhance Medicaid services,… Read More