Author: Jean

Why Young Girls May Experience Loneliness To be human is to be lonely at some point in life, but there’s an important caveat: We typically think of isolation and loneliness as an adult or teen mental health experience, not one that happens to young children. Yet a new nationally representative survey of 1,000 girls commissioned by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) offers striking evidence to the contrary. In the survey, nearly two-thirds of the youngest girls, aged 5 to 7, reported feelings of loneliness. This percentage ticked up with age; nearly three quarters of girls between the ages…

Revolutionizing Mental Health: The Rise of Digital Therapy Solutions The mental health landscape has undergone significant transformations in recent years. The stigma surrounding mental illness has gradually decreased, and people are now more willing to seek help than ever before. However, despite this progress, there is still a significant shortage of mental health professionals, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This shortage has led to a growing need for innovative solutions that can provide accessible and effective mental health care to a broader audience. Enter digital therapy solutions, which are revolutionizing the way we approach mental health treatment. Digital therapy…

Mental Health Apps: A New Era of Accessibility and Support Mental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, and it’s essential to prioritize it. With the rise of technology, mental health apps have become an innovative solution for people to access support and resources at their fingertips. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of mental health apps, exploring their benefits, types, and how they’re changing the face of mental health care. In recent years, mental health apps have gained immense popularity, with millions of downloads worldwide. These apps offer a range of services, from mood tracking…

Mental health is a critical aspect of overall well-being, and yet, it is often shrouded in stigma. The fear of being judged, the fear of being different, and the fear of being vulnerable can lead to a daunting silence that can be detrimental to one’s mental health. However, the advent of AI-powered chatbots is changing this narrative, providing a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to share their concerns and receive support. Traditional methods of seeking mental health support, such as in-person therapy sessions, can be daunting for many. The thought of sitting in a small room, talking to a…

Mental Health Apps: The New Normal for Managing Anxiety and Depression In recent years, the world has witnessed a significant shift in the way people approach mental health. Gone are the days of stigma and silence surrounding mental health issues. Today, more and more individuals are open to seeking help and support for their mental well-being. One of the most significant factors contributing to this change is the rise of mental health apps. These apps have revolutionized the way people manage anxiety and depression, making it easier for individuals to take control of their mental health from the comfort of…

Are California’s Mental Health Courts Successful? The Concept Behind Mental Health Courts Mental health courts were established in the early 2000s to provide an alternative to traditional criminal justice proceedings for individuals with mental illnesses. These courts aim to address the complex needs of defendants with mental health issues, rather than simply punishing them for their crimes. In California, mental health courts operate in various jurisdictions, including Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sacramento. Data Shortcomings Despite the good intentions behind mental health courts, there is a significant lack of reliable data to evaluate their effectiveness. This lack of data makes…

Mental Health Coaches on Social Media: A New Era of Wellness Instagram and TikTok are go-to social media platforms for mental health advice, some of it dispensed by influencers who call themselves coaches. These individuals often promise clarity, motivation, and healing that leads to a new lifestyle – the one you’ve always chased after. But whether or not they have any formal training, in mental health care or coaching, is another matter. What’s Wrong with the Trend? Experts say the mental health coaching trend is relatively new, and that consumers should beware of empty guarantees made by people with few…

Happiness-Boosting Foods You Need to Know The time has come to start jotting down all the things we want to accomplish in the new year. Personally, I like to keep things simple — like just being happy. When we think about what makes us happy, our diet isn’t usually at the top of the list. But what we eat can play a role in how we feel. How Nutrition Impacts Mental Wellbeing Studies have emerged in the past decade linking nutrition and mental wellbeing. Certain foods are associated with increased serotonin in our brains, and serotonin, also known as the…

Healing from Image-Based Sexual Abuse: A Therapist’s Perspective Therapist Francesca Rossi works with clients who’ve had real images of themselves turned into sexually explicit content, without their consent. All of her current clients identify as woman. This type of image-based abuse, known as an explicit deepfake generated by artificial intelligence, is frequently perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner, or a known friend, coworker, or neighbor, as a form of harassment and stalking. Why Safety Planning is Critical for Healing Rossi says that people need to feel safe in order to restore their sense of reality. Creating that safety…

US Surgeon General Calls for Warning Labels on Social Media A Proposal to Protect Young People’s Mental Health US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has announced that he believes social media platforms should come with a warning label, aimed at helping to protect young people from related mental health risks. In a New York Times opinion essay, Murthy wrote that a "surgeon general’s warning label" would regularly remind parents and adolescents that social media has not been proven safe. A Proven Concept Murthy cited the success of warning labels on tobacco products sold in the US, which have been shown…