Mental Health

'Washington Post': Therapy Notes Are Being Used Against Migrant Children

6:31am February 18, 2020

NPR's Noel King talks to Washington Post reporter Hannah Dreier, whose investigation found that therapists are sharing their notes on detained migrant children with immigration officials.

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Health & Safety

Why Sitting For Long Periods Can Effect Teens' Mental Health

6:39am February 17, 2020

by Rhitu Chatterjee

A new study finds that sitting still is linked to a higher risk of depression among teens, but even an hour of light physical activity every day reduces the risk of depression by 10%.

Health & Safety

Life Kit: Living With Postpartum Depression

5:27pm February 15, 2020

by Rhitu Chatterjee

About 1 in 7 women go through pregnancy and postpartum feeling depressed. NPR's Life Kit team has tips on how to recognize the symptoms and where to look for help.

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2 Big Teachers Unions Call For Rethinking Student Involvement In Lockdown Drills

12:16pm February 11, 2020

by Anya Kamenetz

About 95% of American public schools have adopted some form of active shooter drills. But there's little proof they're effective — and there's growing concern they can traumatize children.

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AI analysis of brain waves can help choose treatments for depression.

Will That Antidepressant Work For You? The Answer May Lie In Your Brain Waves

5:22pm February 10, 2020

by Jon Hamilton

Scientists say certain brain wave patterns can predict whether a person is likely to respond to a common antidepressant, or would do better with non-drug therapy.

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Michael Pollan gave up caffeine entirely for three months while working on his audiobook, Caffeine. "I recommend it," he says of his time without the drug. "I had some great sleeps." But he didn't realize that a temporary "loss of confidence" and lack of

Michael Pollan Explains Caffeine Cravings (And Why You Don't Have To Quit)

4:51pm February 10, 2020

by Terry Gross

When Pollan decided to write about caffeine, he gave it up — cold turkey. "I just couldn't focus," he says. "I was irritable. I lost confidence." Caffeine reshapes the brain in surprising ways.

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In her new memoir, Smacked: A Story of White Collar Ambition, Addiction and Tragedy, writer Eilene Zimmerman traces the trajectory of her ex-husband's addiction to cocaine and opioids — and all the signs she missed.

A Widow, Not A Wife: 'Smacked' Explores An Ex-Husband's Secret Addiction

12:35pm February 05, 2020

by Terry Gross

Eilene Zimmerman didn't learn of her ex-husband's addiction to cocaine and opioids until after his death. "This had happened in front of us, and we hadn't recognized it," she says.

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Health & Safety

Going To Therapy Can Be Hard, Especially For Immigrants — Here's How To Start

4:23pm January 23, 2020

by Lauren Hodges

Immigrants face unique stressors that may contribute to mental health problems — and are less likely to seek help for them. Here are some of the best ways for immigrant communities to start therapy.

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A new report finds that good co-worker relationships are linked to decreased loneliness.

Health & Safety

Most Americans Are Lonely, And Our Workplace Culture May Not Be Helping

11:28am January 23, 2020

by Elena Renken

A new survey of 10,000 Americans finds 61% of us are lonely. Young people, men and those new at their jobs are some of the hardest hit.

The number of pets on planes has become a hot-button issue of late as emotional support animals have become more common than ever.

Health & Safety

Federal Government May Tighten Restrictions On Service Animals On Planes

11:26am January 23, 2020

by Merrit Kennedy

One of the biggest changes is that the Department of Transportation would no longer require airlines to consider emotional support animals as service animals, as they have in the past.

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