Teachers’ Mental Health and Well-being Linked to Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families

Teachers have important roles in the lives of the children they teach. That influence extends into the realm of mental health and well-being, according to research published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Researchers found that teachers’ mental health and well-being was associated with the mental health and well-being of their students.

Choice and Control over Mental Health Services Can Lead to Better Outcomes

• Depression, Patients and Families, Trauma

When people have some choice and control over their mental health care, they have better outcomes. That is the conclusion of a couple of recent studies looking at different aspects of choice in treatment and care.

7 Check-ins For New Year’s Mental Health

• Patients and Families

And we’ve all been dealing with the ups and downs, losses, uncertainties and changes brought on by the pandemic. The start of a new year is a good opportunity for self-assessment with a brief mental health checkup.

New Survey Shows Increasing Loneliness, Including on the Job

• Patients and Families

Loneliness is a major public health concern and, according to a new national survey more Americans are saying they are lonely. Loneliness is associated with increased risk for both physical and mental health problems. The health impacts of loneliness are similar to that of other well-known health risks, such as smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and air pollution.

The Power of Pets for Your Well-being

• ADHD, Anxiety, Autism, Depression

Most pet owners are well aware that pets make our lives better, but they can also help improve our health. Research continues to identify many ways pets help improve our health, including helping maintain mental health and well-being. More than two-thirds of us, about 68% of U.S. households, have a pet.

Mental Health Resources for the Latino Community

• Diverse populations, Patients and Families

There are more than 60 million Hispanic/Latino individuals in the U.S., making up about 18% of the population. Latinos have experienced disproportionate economic, physical, and mental health impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Schools Out! Tips For Taking Advantage of Summer Break to De-Stress from the Hustle and Bustle of the School Year

• Children and Youth, Healthy living for mental well-being, Patients and Families

It’s that time of year again when the days are heating up and the spirit of care-free living takes over as school starts to pause for summer break. Kids work all year with the end goal of summer always in mind. The questions often on parents’ minds are: What should I engage my kids in during the summer break? How do I make the most of the time with my kids?

Americans’ Pets Offer Mental Health Support to Their Owners, 1 out of 5 Pet Owners Has an Emotional Support Animal

They say in Washington, if you want a friend, get a dog. The results of an American Psychiatric Association Healthy Minds Monthly Poll released jointly with the American Veterinary Medical Association seem to align with that adage: Among the many mental health benefits of pets, nearly two-thirds of pet owners say that their animals offer companionship (65%), are a true friend (65%) and provide unconditional love and support (64%).

Addressing Loneliness in Older Adults through Empathetic Conversations, Health and Fitness Classes

• Depression, Patients and Families

The COVID-19 pandemic and social-distancing focused much attention on impacts of social isolation particularly for older adults, but even before the pandemic, loneliness had been increasingly of concern. Researchers are looking at the relationship between social disconnectedness and mental illness, effective interventions and prevention.

Climate Change-Driven Mental Health Inequities

In the inaugural episode, our expert panelists touch on the difference between resilience and resistance, learning from ancestral indigenous knowledge and observation, tolerating uncertainty and eco-anxiety as clinicians, consumerism, centering equity into the climate crisis and more. Join us as we gain important insight from Dr. Robin Cooper, Dr. Carissa Caban-Aleman, Dr. Joe Neidhardt, and Dr. Jessica Isom.

How to Help When Dementia Leads to Agitation

• Anxiety, Older adults, Patients and Families

Dementia is a rapidly growing public health problem affecting around 50 million people around the world, according to a recent World Health Organization (WHO) report. It is a major cause of disability and dependency among adults, often causing significant caregiving and financial stress on families. People with dementia may develop agitation or psychosis which can be very challenging for caregivers. Agitation is a state of excessive physical movement or aggression associated with emotional dist

Returning to School as the Pandemic Draws on: Addressing Concerns, Fears and Worries

• Patients and Families

Across the country, communities and families are challenged by the prospect of sending children back to school amidst the ongoing pandemic uncertainties. You and members of your community may be wondering: what should I consider when choosing to return to the classroom? How do we keep students and teachers safe? How are students coping mentally and emotionally? How can we tell when a child or teen might need help and support from a professional?  How can we make sure children can access the help