Category: Topical

Conference Recap – Mental Health and Young Americans: Breakdown or Breakthrough

Author By Ryan Matthews, Director of Content at Talkspace
Posted:
Talkspace CEO Oren Frank speaks with Michael Phelps

We can all agree that being a teenager has always been tough. Hormones are changing, social anxiety has kicked into high gear, and peer pressure is exerting itself from every angle.

But teens today are facing unique challenges. From social media addiction to social isolation, vaping to the opioid epidemic, cyberbullying to gun violence, Gen Z-ers are coming of age in a whole new world. Most concerning, it’s showing up in their mental health.

Continue reading Conference Recap – Mental Health and Young Americans: Breakdown or Breakthrough

Vote Like Your Mental Health Depends on it

Author By Wendy Wisner, Contributor
Posted:
A sticker on a hand that says "I Voted"

If these past few years of political turmoil and divisiveness in America have significantly increased your stress levels, you are far from alone. Whatever your political beliefs, the current political climate in America is so divided — and downright terrifying at times — it is completely understandable to have strong feelings about it.

Add in the effects of a 24-hour news cycle, and the never-ending onslaught of social media, and you have a recipe for increased mental health risk.

Continue reading Vote Like Your Mental Health Depends on it

Why World Mental Health Day 2018 is Especially Important

Author By Josh Wolff, Staff Writer at Talkspace
Posted:
A group of teenagers talks in a circle

Today is World Mental Health Day, an opportunity for organizations and individuals around the globe to bring awareness to mental health and surrounding challenges.

Each year, the World Federation For Mental Health (WFMH) selects a theme that facilitates discussion around a growing mental health epidemic or challenge. This year’s theme is “Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.”

Continue reading Why World Mental Health Day 2018 is Especially Important

11 Mental Health Podcasts to Subscribe To in 2018

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:

While talking about mental health, therapy, and mental illness is still relatively taboo, there are some incredible trailblazers out there who are helping to break the stigma. The more we speak up about these topics, the less taboo they become. What better way to openly talk about mental health to a large audience than through a podcast?

Here are 11 examples of mental health-related podcasts that are informative and entertaining!

Continue reading 11 Mental Health Podcasts to Subscribe To in 2018

Confronting the Problem of Mental Health and Guns

Author By s.e. smith, Contributor
Posted:
A youth rally against gun violence

With every mass shooting, commentary about mental health is quick to follow — the mental health community starts bracing itself as soon as the first panicked tweet from someone on scene hits the internet. “Only a madman would do something like this.” “This is insane!” “Why can’t we stop these crazy gunmen?”

Today, at a Santa Fe, Texas high school, at least ten have been killed with numerous other casualties reported. This most recent mass shooting incident, the 22nd in the United States in 2018, shows how unfortunately common these events have become in modern American society.

Continue reading Confronting the Problem of Mental Health and Guns

The New Rise of Celebrities Talking About Therapy

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Brad Pitt on the red carpet

When I was a scared little 11-year-old going to therapy, I wished there were celebrities opening up about therapy who I could to relate to. As far as I knew, I was the only girl in the world who struggled with mental illness or saw a therapist. I lied to my friends about why I couldn’t hang out on Tuesday afternoons after school, because therapy seemed like the most taboo thing in the world to talk about.

Flash forward to 2018. There’s no shortage of headlines featuring celebrities sharing their stories about going to therapy. When these headlines first began popping up everywhere from E! News to Vogue, I couldn’t help but be bitter. Why was it okay for famous people to talk so openly about therapy, but it’s still so stigmatized for regular people to open up about seeing a therapist?

Continue reading The New Rise of Celebrities Talking About Therapy

Therapy Helped Me: Be Myself

Author By Marcela Sabia
Posted:
Talkspace Therapy Helped Me

This post is part of our #TherapyHelpedMe series for Mental Health Awareness Month. Talkspace shares stories of how therapy helps people of all backgrounds work through the daily challenges of modern life.

When I stop to think about the role of therapy in my life, it is not difficult to realize how essential it was for me to become the person I am today. I met my current therapist five years ago when I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety disorder. I had panic attacks and could barely get out of the house, so my therapy sessions were the only time I socialized with anyone — and it was like that for a few months.

Continue reading Therapy Helped Me: Be Myself

Mental Health Awareness Month: Therapy Helped Me

Author By Talkspace
Posted:
Talkspace Therapy Helped Me

This post is part of our #TherapyHelpedMe series for Mental Health Awareness Month. Talkspace shares stories of how therapy helps people of all backgrounds work through the daily challenges of modern life.

Many of us are aware of therapy and its positive benefits. Maybe you read Freud in college, are familiar with portrayals of therapists from film or TV, or see negative stories about a celebrity’s mental health on tabloid covers in the supermarket checkout aisle. What you hear less often are the stories of therapy’s profound effects on those who try it and the unexpectedly life-changing ways it can improve well-being, regardless of your challenges.

Continue reading Mental Health Awareness Month: Therapy Helped Me

Better Mental Health for All

Author By Josh Wolff, Staff Writer at Talkspace
Posted:
Children smiling and giving the peace sign

This year’s message for World Health Day was “Health For All.” According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “at least half of the world’s population still do not have full coverage of essential health services.” Their goal is to see one billion more people given access to full health care services by 2023.

While Talkspace’s mission has always been “Therapy For All,” we’re actively championing an even more universal goal across the globe: “Better Mental Health For All,”. This includes campaigning for mental health coverage as part of universal health care, and being an active part of the important conversation around mental health.

Continue reading Better Mental Health for All

Spring Sounds: A Mental Health Playlist

Author By Talkspace
Posted:
Woman in park with headphones

Listening to music can boost our mental health and reduce anxiety, according to a meta analysis of hundreds of studies. We also use songs to reflect on changes in our lives, the world, and even the seasons.

Winter is over, we’ve emerged from hibernation, and spring is here. Though many of us feel invigorated in spring, it can still be a challenging season for our mental health — people start being more active, which is terrific but can also leave some people feeling too manic. To give you something to play and even out your mood as you settle into the season, we compiled this “Spring Sounds” playlist. Enjoy!

Continue reading Spring Sounds: A Mental Health Playlist