Mental Health

HALLE, Belgium (AP) — Gilles Gui was looking for the magical purple bluebells that raise their heads each spring under the budding beech leaves of the Hallerbos forest, an annual explosion of color that draws crowds from around the world.... Read More

WASHINGTON — What we eat affects how we feel, not only physically, but mentally. While some comforting food can make you feel good in the short term, consuming a healthy diet influences mental health in the long term. A new... Read More

WASHINGTON — Now is the time of year when the messaging around building your summer body increases. However, it is always a good time to start exercising, for reasons beyond just your appearance. Cognitive health is an often overlooked benefit... Read More

WASHINGTON — A flash of red, a flutter of wings, a mother feeding her baby, the sound of chirping, the feeling of air on your skin and a sense of calm as you notice each detail. You will experience all... Read More

WASHINGTON — As we humans move through our lives, we have family, friends and pets to accompany us. Feeling connected to others is vital for mental and physical health. One overlooked companion? Trees. It may sound odd, but think about... Read More

WASHINGTON — Coping with a mental health condition? Attending therapy with a licensed professional may help, but it can be cost-prohibitive for some. Therapy is also a long process, and research suggests many do not complete an evidence-based length of... Read More

WASHINGTON — The friendship between (hu)man and dog goes back thousands of years. That feeling of warmth and happiness you get from interacting with a dog, even for a short period, is a result of physiological processes in your body.... Read More

WASHINGTON — Our thoughts are powerful and can be challenging to change. The way we think can positively or negatively influence our mental health. While it is well-known that both loneliness and persistently dwelling on negative thoughts, or rumination, can... Read More

WASHINGTON — Despite the heart being the icon of Valentine’s Day, the experience of love begins in your brain. The physical and emotional sensations associated with love may seem inexplicable, but they have some scientific explanations.  In the spirit of... Read More

WASHINGTON — As we slog our way through February, it’s tempting to start wishing the winter days away. Instead, slow down, get cozy and accept where you are. The Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is all about creating your... Read More

WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried to deflect accusations of being a junk science advocate Wednesday during his Senate confirmation hearing to become secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Much of his time was spent... Read More

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order on Tuesday creating a state Office of Violence Prevention and directing $10 million to support its violence prevention efforts statewide. The governor’s action coincides with the release of his... Read More

WASHINGTON — Take a moment to listen to your thoughts. All of us have an internal monologue, a running list of things to do, worries, even daydreams. Do you control them or do they control you? Journaling can help you... Read More

Bells are ringing. Snow is glistening. But you’re bummed out. You could be suffering from a case of the holiday blues, which experts say is not uncommon. A strained relationship with family, for example, can make this time of year... Read More

WASHINGTON — Increasing physical fitness is a well-known way to boost cognitive and mental health. The earlier you build healthy habits, the greater the payoff later in life. A new study examines physical fitness levels in early childhood and compares... Read More

LOS ANGELES — A seemingly never-ending glut of news and stunning twists and turns left journalists covering the 2024 election frayed and tired, a survey from the University of South California’s Center for Health Journalism found. The survey, released in... Read More

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Simple, systematic changes in lifestyle, exercise regime, diet, and social activities can dramatically improve the quality of life for cancer patients, with benefits lasting six months or longer, a study from Harvard University shows. The study, led... Read More

DALLAS, Texas — Work-related stress can put you at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, though the association between the two is not very well known, according to a study by the American Heart Association. To fill in the gap... Read More

WASHINGTON — As we get deeper into the fall season, temperatures cool and the leaves begin to change. It is the perfect time to get out and enjoy a walk through the forest. While it’s a nice activity at any... Read More

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program, will now cover traditional Native American health care practices for the treatment of substance abuse disorders. Native Americans continue to be disproportionately impacted by the opioid epidemic, with higher overdose death rates than... Read More

WASHINGTON — Fourteen attorneys general claimed in lawsuits they filed Tuesday against social media company TikTok that its platform is addictive for children and hurts their mental health. TikTok advertises itself as a safe social media platform for young persons.... Read More

WASHINGTON — It is widely known that exercise has mental health benefits and can help treat symptoms of depression. There are multiple hypothesized mechanisms behind how it works, and researchers at the University College London have added a new theory... Read More

WASHINGTON — Mental health advocates won a significant victory this week when a federal judge in Washington, D.C., decided they could move forward with their lawsuit that challenges the use of police to handle mental health crises. They argue that... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration unveiled a final rule on Monday it says will help ensure tens of millions of Americans with private health insurance have access to affordable mental health services. Though in theory, the Mental Health Parity and... Read More

WASHINGTON — Nearly 2 million people attempted suicide last year, while more than 13 million adults seriously thought about it, according to the latest data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Further, according to the Centers for... Read More

WASHINGTON — With technology and economic forces transforming the world at a “dizzying pace,” parents across the United States are struggling to keep up, and the stress this is causing has become a very real health concern. That’s the assessment... Read More

LOS ANGELES — An investigation into the death of actor and former “Friends” star Matthew Perry revealed he was the victim of a “broad underground criminal network,” including his own doctors, who took advantage of his addiction issues for their... Read More

WASHINGTON — Eating a healthy diet of whole foods and getting regular exercise are two ways to help ward off preventable health conditions, especially as we age. The link between diet and mental health is less researched than diet and... Read More

KANAIO, Hawaii (AP) — Fear. Anxiety. Anger. Depression. Overwhelmed. Janice Dapitan began her second counseling session by writing those words on a whiteboard, reflecting what she felt in that moment. The day fire destroyed her hometown of Lahaina — and... Read More

BOSTON — The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library is no stranger to the idea that small steps by a few can lead to huge strides for everyone. After all, the institution on the banks of Boston’s Dorchester Harbor is dedicated... Read More