Substance Use and Mental Health
Why They Are Connected Substance use and mental health are closely connected. When someone is struggling emotionally, they may also struggle with substance use. At the same time, substance use can affect a person’s mental and emotional well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently highlighted this connection in its updated mental health […]
Social Media and Youth Mental Health
Does More Use Always Mean More Harm? Social media is a major part of everyday life, especially for young people. It can help people stay connected, share experiences, find communities, and learn new things. At the same time, there are growing concerns about how social media may affect young people’s mental health. Researchers at Yale […]
Substance Abuse: Protecting Youth
Protecting Youth From Tobacco and Nicotine Addiction Nicotine addiction can begin at a young age, making it important to protect children and teenagers from tobacco and other nicotine products. Young people may come across cigarettes, e-cigarettes, nicotine pouches, and other products that can expose them to addictive nicotine. Tobacco and nicotine companies use different ways […]
Could Reducing Ultra-Processed Foods Improve Mental Health?
A preliminary study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), suggests that reducing ultra-processed foods may help improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. The research, published September 23, 2026, in JAMA Psychiatry, adds to growing evidence that nutrition may play an important role in mental health. What the Study Examined Researchers studied 20 adults […]
Mental Health Throughout Life
About Mental Health Mental health is an important part of our overall health and well-being. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how we handle stress, learn, work, build relationships, and participate in our communities. Mental health is closely connected to physical health, so taking care of both is an important part […]
Building Healthier Individuals and Communities
Prevention of Substance Use: Building Healthier Individuals and Communities Substance use prevention is about more than telling people what not to do. It is about helping individuals, families, and communities build the knowledge, skills, support systems, and resources they need to make healthier choices. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), […]
Friendship Matters in Substance Abuse
Why Purposeful Friendship Matters in Sobriety Purposeful friendships we choose—and invest in—are key assets in healing. Updated May 21, 2025 Written by Kimberly Horn Ed.D. | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer Ph.D. Key points I recently had the opportunity to speak with the hosts of two recovery-focused podcasts—The Hello Someday Podcast and Soberful. In both conversations, one theme kept coming up: […]
Mental Health in America 2026: Closing the Gap Between Awareness and Access
More Good Days, Together — that’s the theme guiding this year’s national conversation on mental health, and it captures a shift happening across the country. Conversations that once felt taboo now happen openly in workplaces, schools, and family group chats. But awareness alone isn’t the goal anymore — the real challenge now is closing the […]
5 Reasons Exceptional Leaders Invest in Mental Health
Why healthy minds yield the greatest dividends By Sheila Robinson-Kiss MSW, LCSW I took an economics class in college where my professor said something that’s stuck with me: think strategically, because every action has a consequence, every choice has a cost, and everything is connected. That lesson applies just as much to leadership as it […]
Stress Relief Strategies: Simple Ways to Feel Better Every Day
Stress Relief Strategies: Simple Ways to Feel Better Every Day Stress is a normal part of life — but when it piles up, it can take a serious toll on your mind, body, and overall well-being. The good news? There are plenty of effective strategies that can help you manage stress, both in the moment […]