Health Understanding Mental Health
HEALTH: UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH
ARE YOU OKAY? AM I OK TOO? • About half of adults will have a mental health issue at some point in their lives. The good news: We’re talking about it more than ever. Here’s how to check in on friends, family—and yourself.
DECODING MENTAL ILLNESS OPENER • Understanding the prevalence of mental illness and when to seek help
THE FIRST STEP • Prioritizing mental health sometimes feels like an afterthought. How do you know when it’s time to seek help? Experts reveal the keys to taking the crucial first step.
THE EPIDEMIOLOGY OF MENTAL ILLNESS • Understanding how mental illnesses are diagnosed is crucial to the discussion surrounding mental health.
THE FEEL-GOOD FACTOR • Serotonin is key to regulating your mood, among other things (including your digestion!). Here’s what researchers know about how to keep the chemical functioning at its peak.
MEDICATION 101 • Doctors often prescribe medication to help with the day-to-day management of mental health conditions. But the many options and considerations can be overwhelming. Here’s what you need to know.
FINDING SUPPORT OPENER • Exploring common mental illnesses and the benefits to be found in therapy
ESCAPING THE OCD LOOP • We asked experts to explain what’s really going on inside the obsessive-compulsive brain—and how to find relief.
WHAT CAUSES PTSD • There’s no threshold for whether something is traumatic enough to cause the disorder, but common triggers include natural disasters and violent assault.
PTSD FROM CHRONIC ILLNESS • I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2012. After a decade of hospitalizations, medications, and intrusive scans and tests, my disease is under control. But another illness threatens my mental health.
WHAT IS HIGH-FUNCTIONING ANXIETY? • Seemingly successful at everything you do, but worried, nervous, and panicky along the way? Get the scoop on what’s going on.
ANXIETY IN CHILDREN • It’s normal for kids to be anxious sometimes, but how do you know whether their worries are cause for concern? Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
YOUR GUIDE TO THERAPY • Finding the best therapist and the most suitable kind of therapy can be overwhelming. Here are some crucial things to keep in mind.
COPING AND THRIVING OPENER • A guide to managing mental health on a day-to-day basis and fostering long-lasting happiness
THE HAPPINESS HANDBOOK • Joy isn’t as elusive as it may seem: It grows out of small things you can do every day. Here’s how to help the feeling flourish and benefit your mental health.
HOW TO TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH DAY • When stress starts to get the best of you, don’t think twice about taking a personal day.
FICTIONAL THERAPY • Losing yourself in a novel isn’t just relaxing—it can actually help you process your own worries and emotions. We asked bibliotherapists to explain.
THE PET RX • Curling up on the couch with a furry friend can do more than help you unwind at the end of the day. Research shows that the average household pet can have long-lasting effects on mental health.
THE ATHLETE’S STRUGGLE • Elite athletes are seen as physical powerhouses, even superhuman. But the Olympic story of Simone Biles shows that prioritizing mental health is crucial for everyone.
PARENTING WHILE DEPRESSED • Millions of moms and dads struggle to manage their mood, which can make the work of parenting hard and have lasting effects on kids. But there is help. Here’s how to get it.
ANYONE CAN MEDITATE • You don’t have to be an expert to work some mindfulness into your day. Just a few minutes can help refresh your racing, mile-a-minute brain. Here, meditation experts offer tips for...
