Oct 10 New California law aims to force people with mental illness or addiction to get help By Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press The legislation expands the definition of gravely disabled to include people who are unable to provide themselves basic needs due to an untreated mental illness or heavy drug uses. Continue reading
Oct 04 Watch 8:34 How teenagers’ lack of sleep is taking a toll on their mental health By William Brangham, Mike Fritz Research has found that teenagers should be getting eight to ten hours of sleep every night. But many are sleeping far less than that and nearly one in four also suffer from insomnia. William Brangham reports on why it's so… Continue watching
Sep 19 Mental health among women in Afghanistan is deteriorating, UN report finds By Rahim Faiez, Associated Press A joint report from three U.N. agencies says the mental health of Afghan women, who have suffered under harsh measures imposed by the Taliban since taking power two years ago, has deteriorated across the country. Continue reading
Sep 09 Watch 7:10 What can be done to prevent gun suicides as U.S. rate hits all-time high By William Brangham, Harry Zahn Firearms are involved in more than half of suicides in the U.S. The gun suicide rate has reached an all-time high, and for the first time, the rate is higher among Black kids and teens than white ones, according to… Continue watching
Sep 05 New long COVID guidance aims to help doctors identify mental health symptoms By Casey Kuhn, Mekhi Hill, Nicole Ellis As millions of Americans seek answers about long COVID, a recent advisory from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is giving physicians better guidance on how to identify mental health symptoms that may stem from the condition. Continue reading
Aug 24 Watch 7:36 Tennessee legislature opens contentious special session over gun reform By Laura Barrón-López, Ali Schmitz Tennessee lawmakers returned to the state capitol this week for a special legislative session in response to the Covenant School shooting, where three children and three school staff members were killed in March. Laura Barrón-López discussed what lawmakers will or… Continue watching
Aug 21 Watch 9:45 States look to involuntarily hospitalize people to confront growing mental health crisis By Stephanie Sy, Lena I. Jackson Across the country, states are trying to tackle the growing mental health crisis. Some are enacting laws and policies that would make it easier to hospitalize or detain the severely mentally ill against their will or through voluntary court-ordered treatment. Continue watching
Jul 30 Watch 8:42 Climate change causing a sense of despair? Here are some ways to combat it By John Yang, Andrew Corkery This summer, millions of Americans are experiencing firsthand the effects of climate change, from triple-digit temperatures to wildfire smoke to bleached coral reefs in warming oceans. For some, growing concern about climate change can become an overwhelming sense of despair… Continue watching
Jul 26 Watch 6:31 Biden adviser discusses plan to pressure insurers to cover mental health care By William Brangham, Cybele Mayes-Osterman President Biden has been hitting the road to sell his economic record, emphasizing pocketbook and consumer issues, including a new rule to crack down on insurers for inadequate coverage of mental health care. But his agenda also faces headwinds. William… Continue watching
Jul 14 A year since 988 started helping callers, here’s what experts want to see next By Laura Santhanam In the year since the launch of 988, the U.S. hotline has fielded almost 5 million calls, texts and chats, offering support to people in mental health crises. But officials say more federal and state dollars are needed to build… Continue reading