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Quitting Smoking Saves Lives, But Medications to Help Are Under Prescribed
On Nov. 17, 2022, the country will mark the Great American Smoke-Out, an event organized by the American Cancer Society to encourage people to quit smoking. Despite overall drops in tobacco usage over the past few decades, smoking still kills nearly an estimated 480,000 people a year.
Thriving in Old Age
In honor of Older Americans Month in May, I wanted to break down stereotypes about older adults. In the United States, we tend to split older adults into two groups: we celebrate the few older adults who live past 100 with TV stories or newspaper articles, and then we assume most older adults have unbearable burdens and are languishing in understaffed facilities.
Schools Out! Tips For Taking Advantage of Summer Break to De-Stress from the Hustle and Bustle of the School Year
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?
Study: Cannabis Use Disorder Increasing Among Veterans with Psychiatric Disorders
Research published today in The American Journal of Psychiatry finds that during a period of increasing cannabis use in the U.S., the prevalence of cannabis use disorder is disproportionally increasing among veterans with psychiatric disorders, especially those with more severe psychiatric disorders.
Hazards of Holiday Drinking and Tips for Maintaining Sobriety for Individuals with Alcoholism
Holiday-related alcohol consumption is a widespread cultural phenomenon with peaks during celebratory seasons. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), there is a noticeable increase in alcohol consumption during holidays, such as Christmas and New Year's. The allure of festive drinks and social gatherings often leads to more frequent and heavier drinking.
Connecting Children with Nature to Improve Mental Well-Being
Children and teens face a variety of stressors and concern about youth mental health has increased in recent years. These issues were highlighted in the Surgeon General’s advisories on Protecting Youth Mental Health, Social Media and Youth Mental Health and Loneliness and Isolation. One approach gaining more attention is tapping into the health benefits of spending time outdoors in nature.
Join Us for the Fourth Annual APA Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K!
In celebration of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, APA and APAF invite you to participate in the Fourth Annual APA Moore Equity in Mental Health 5K.
Climate Cafés: A Resource to Help with Climate Distress
The multiple impacts of climate change are increasingly part of everyday discourse. These impacts weigh on the minds of many, and elicit several emotions, such as distress, worry, anxiety, sadness, and others as described in the Climate Mental Health Network’s Climate Emotions Wheel. In 2023, 64% of adults in the United States reported being worried about climate change, according to the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication’s Climate Opinions Map. Meanwhile, other research suggests that
New Reports Examine Trends in Youth Mental Health
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
‘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
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.
Mental Health Equity Champion Spotlight: Lisa Fortuna
This quarter’s Mental Health Equity Champion is Lisa Fortuna, M.D., M.P.H., M.Div., professor and chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine.