The Mental Health Impacts of Wildfires

Wildfires, like other natural disasters and traumatic events, take a toll on the mental health of those directly affected and in the community. Whether the impact is the loss of a home, having to flee unexpectedly, dealing with the uncertainty of a fire’s path or worrying over smoke-filled skies, wildfires can lead to emotional distress.

New Reports Examine Trends in Youth Mental Health

• Children and Youth, Patients and Families, Teens and young adults

Several recent national and international reports offer some insights into youth mental health with some encouraging signs along with some concerning trends.

Get Outside: The Many Ways Nature Can Boost Your Mental Well-Being

• Healthy living for mental well-being

‘Go outside and get some fresh air’ has long been common advice for staying healthy. Although the calming, mood-boosting and inspirational effects of spending time in nature have long-been championed, recent research has strengthened the case in support of nature's therapeutic benefits.

Practicing Self-Compassion

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

At the start of the year, many people set resolutions and intentions for enhancing their emotional well-being. One tool that can help improve psychological well-being is the practice of self-compassion. Many people find themselves being quite critical towards themselves. Some people believe that they are not good enough and that they don’t deserve compassion. In the long term, excessive self-criticism may contribute to depleting one’s emotional reservoir.

Personal Perspectives on Early Psychosis, Part 2

This episode is the second of a two-part discussion about early psychosis led by Dr. Ken Duckworth.

Mental Health Equity Champion Spotlight: Junji Takeshita, M.D.

• Diversity News and Updates

Dr. Junji Takeshita is the President of the American Association for Emergency Psychiatry. He is a member of the Asian-American Caucus of the American Psychiatric Association and has presented nationally regarding cultural issues in psychiatry.

Mental Health Pathfinders: APA President Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D. Dr.Med.Sc.

Current APA President Ramaswamy Viswanathan, M.D. Dr.Med.Sc. joins us to discuss his journey to psychiatric leadership and the early life events that inspired him to make a lifelong commitment to lifestyle medicine.

Mental Health Pathfinders: Dr. Mary H. Roessel on the Mental Health of Indigenous Peoples

In honor of National Native American Heritage Month, Dr. Mary Hasbah Roessel joins us to discuss her experiences and insights into the mental health care needs of Indigenous communities, particularly focusing on the Navajo culture.

Mental Health Equity Champion Spotlight – Dr. Jonathan Shepherd

• Diversity News and Updates

Jonathan Shepherd, M.D., is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist. Dr. Shepherd is the Chief Clinical Officer for the District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health. He is also a part-time staff psychiatrist at The Ross Center.

Employees Say Workplaces Are Offering Fewer Mental Health Services in 2022, According to APA Poll

As the pandemic wanes, employees report employers are offering fewer mental health services and are more reluctant to address mental health concerns in the workplace, according to the 2022 Healthy Minds poll from the American Psychiatric Association (APA). About half of employees work at home at least some of the time and about one in five works at home all the time. 

Special Issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry Examines Structural Racism and Mental Health Disparities, Offers Solutions

A special issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry, released today at the American Psychiatric Association’s Annual Meeting, highlights the pervasive negative consequences of structural racism on mental health and the importance of community and system-wide interventions and proposes mental health inequity research priorities.

Among LGBTQ+ Adults, Mental Health Improves with Age

• LGBTQ+

Many years of research have identified health and mental health disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals, showing they experience higher rates of mental health problems compared to the heterosexual, cisgender population. A recent APA national poll found that LGBTQ+ adults are more likely than adults overall to be anxious about a number of current issues, including gun violence, climate change and the future of reproductive rights. They are twice as likely (62% vs 31%) to be anxious about the future