In the United States, an estimated 33,000 youth ages eight and older live in residential care facilities. And across the globe, researchers estimate that some 2.7 million young people live in residential care. [Read more…]
What We Know About Residential Care for Vulnerable Youth
November 19, 2025 By
The Mental Health Cost of Racism
October 25, 2025 By
It’s well-documented that racial minorities experience psychosis at consistently higher rates compared to the general population. This mental health condition involves hallucinations, delusions, confused thinking, and disorganized behavior; it is one of the most severe mental health disorders because it affects a person’s ability to perceive and interpret reality. [Read more…]
What’s Driving Suicidal Thoughts in Young People?
September 23, 2025 By
It’s well-established that mental health among adolescents has declined over the past two decades, and researchers have been working to understand why more young people are dying by suicide. [Read more…]
Does Online Therapy Work For Kids?
April 29, 2025 By
Approximately 20% of teens in the U.S. experience depression by age 17. And data shows that among youth across the globe, the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms has doubled since the COVID-19 pandemic. [Read more…]
Does Inflammation Lead to Depression?
April 18, 2025 By
For decades, we’ve heard that depression is related to imbalances of neurotransmitters in the brain, including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. But a growing body of research suggests depression may also be connected to a more prevalent biological process: inflammation. [Read more…]
How Social Media Impacts Psychiatric Symptoms
April 3, 2025 By
Social media has transformed the way people interact with each other and the world. Across the globe, researchers have documented political, social, emotional, and even health implications related to these ever-evolving platforms.
A new systematic review seeks to better understand how social media use affects people with pre-existing mental health disorders, specifically psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, narcissistic personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. [Read more…]
Is Cold-Water Swimming Really Good for Your Brain?
March 27, 2025 By
If you live near a body of water in the northern latitudes, you likely have heard of your local polar bear club — usually made up of a group of hearty swimmers who take part in cold water swimming. [Read more…]
Use The Holidays To Promote Social Connection
November 26, 2024 By
Millions of people will gather with family and friends this week to celebrate what may be one of the most quintessential American holidays, Thanksgiving. For most people, the holiday revolves around turkey, football, and the start of the holiday shopping season. More Americans are also focusing on gratitude – the “thanks” part of Thanksgiving – which is demonstrated to promote physical, mental, and social well-being.
But there’s another aspect of Thanksgiving that is worth focusing on: gathering. [Read more…]
The Best Way to Stall Dementia: Quit Smoking
November 23, 2024 By
While the number of smokers is at a historical low, data demonstrates that smoking still affects public health. Smoking increases the risk of heart and lung disease, affects bone health, and increases the risk of birth defects. A growing body of research demonstrates that smoking also affects neurological health, specifically cognitive decline. [Read more…]
The Benefits of Deep Breathing and Why It Works
October 9, 2024 By
Feeling anxious? Angry? Frustrated? Disappointed?
The evidence clearly shows there is something you can do—no matter where you are or what the circumstances are. Take a few slow, deep breaths.
In most stressful situations, human nature actually drives us to take deep breaths. If you’re getting ready to give a speech to a large crowd or standing at the starting line for a community running race, you may find yourself taking a deep breath without even thinking about it. [Read more…]
Why Laughter Is Such Good Medicine
September 6, 2024 By
You know the feeling (hopefully!): Something silly sets you off – a movie, a joke, or maybe someone near you slips and falls – and you burst into laughter.
It feels good to laugh. And since the 1970s, medical experts have learned that laughter can boost pain tolerance and improve overall well-being. [Read more…]
The Psychological Impacts of Donor Conception
August 4, 2024 By
Researchers estimate that there are upwards of 1 million Americans who were conceived using donor egg or sperm. Anonymous donation, in which the donor’s identity is not available to the donor-conceived person, is common in the U.S. and Canada, while many European countries require the donor’s identity be disclosed when the donor-conceived person turns 18.
