Healthy Minds Monthly Poll: Personal Finances Were Still a Major Source of Anxiety for Americans Leading Into 2024

In a poll fielded in December, most adults said they were anxious about their personal finances (59%) and the uncertainty in the new year (54%). More than one-third (38%) were anxious about their mental health—a trend consistent with prior year’s polling. Just under half (44%) of adults said they anticipate experiencing the same level of stress at the start of 2024 as they did at the start of 2023, while one in four said they expect more stress.

Returning to School Safely: Managing Anxiety and Fears about COVID-19 and Gun Violence

• Children and Youth, Pandemic

The start of an academic year can bring fear and uncertainty for many, this year concerns may be compounded by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recent gun violence-linked mass casualties. Incidents of school shootings and gun violence have a devastating impact far beyond those directly affected. We are left with several unanswered questions and the lingering fear of future events. As schools reopen, the questions many families now face are: Is my child safe at school? How can I protect my child

Rumination: A Cycle of Negative Thinking

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families

Rumination involves repetitive thinking or dwelling on negative feelings and distress and their causes and consequences. The repetitive, negative aspect of rumination can contribute to the development of depression or anxiety and can worsen existing conditions.

Could Psychedelics be Used to Treat Mental Illness?

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families, Trauma

There has been increased interest and research in psychedelics as a treatment for mental illness in recent years. A new review study concludes that while research is still preliminary, psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), show promise for treating conditions including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

New APA Poll Shows Surge in Anxiety Among Americans Top Causes Are Safety, COVID-19, Health, Gun Violence, and the Upcoming Election

According to a new public opinion poll released today by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), 62% of Americans feel more anxious than they did at this time last year. That marks a sizable increase over APA polls of the past three years, in which the number has ranged between 32% and 39%.

Address Your Feelings During This Election Cycle and Seek Medical Care if Needed

• Patients and Families

During these uncertain times, it can be very difficult to manage all that is happening around us:  the pandemic, job and financial insecurities, police brutality leading to protests and community unrest, and uneasiness around the voting process and the election outcome. 

Chronic Pain and Mental Health Often Interconnected

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families

Chronic pain and mental health disorders often occur together. In fact, research suggests that chronic pain and mental health problems can contribute to and exacerbate the other.

Service Dogs Can Be Invaluable in Helping People with PTSD

• Military and Veterans, New research, Trauma

​​​​​​​Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects an estimated one in seven adults at some time in their lives and it affects a large proportion of military members and veterans. In addition to the variety of effective treatments available, people often also use complementary interventions, such as the use of trained PTSD service dogs. These service dogs perform specific tasks that help address PTSD symptoms, such as applying pressure to alleviate anxiety and nudging to interrupt flashbacks

Infertility: The Impact of Stress and Mental Health

• Anxiety, Depression, Patients and Families, Women

Infertility, though often not talked about, is common. An estimated one in eight couples (or 12% of married women) have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining a pregnancy. There are a range of complex connections between mental health and infertility.

Climate and Disasters: Taking Action Helps Address Anxiety

As we head toward the peaks of the hurricane and wildfire seasons, disasters and their impacts are in the news and on people’s minds. Almost three in 10 Americans are worried about being personally impacted by a natural disaster, according to a recent APA poll. 

The Mental Health Benefits of Simple Acts of Kindness

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

There are many reasons acts of kindness are good for the giver and the receiver. New research looks at the mental health benefits, finding that performing acts of kindness may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.(1) “Acts of kindness” refer to benevolent and helpful actions intentionally directed towards another person, motivated by the desire to help another and not to gain reward or to avoid punishment

Expanding Mental Health Uses for Virtual Reality

• Anxiety, Patients and Families, Serious mental illness, Trauma

Virtual reality technology is increasingly being used to support mental health and treat a variety of mental health disorders, especially as the technology becomes more familiar and more affordable. Virtual reality (VR) offers several advantages, including convenience and the ability to adapt and individualize it. Among the conditions being effectively treated with VR are PTSD, anxiety and phobias.