The hottest Mental health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

Tell them what they mean to you

Disaffected Newsletter • 1458 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. It's important to express how much someone means to you, especially as they approach the end of life. Sharing your feelings can bring comfort to both you and them.
  2. Facing death can be hard, but don't let fear keep you away. Being present, holding hands, and talking about your love can make a difference.
  3. Staying busy with everyday tasks can help ease the burden of grief. Taking care of chores can be a good way to cope with loss.

Disaffected, Episode 154

Disaffected Newsletter • 499 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🎙 Podcasts Mental health
  1. There is a real difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, and understanding this can help clarify some public misconceptions.
  2. An update on a recent shooting shows that the shooter, who was initially labeled a right-wing hate criminal, had a different background and mental health issues, challenging assumptions about such incidents.
  3. Infrastructure issues are more than just physical repairs; applying for health insurance can be frustrating and complicated, highlighting the broader problems in the system.

How to (and How NOT to) Mandate Phone-Free Schools

After Babel • 1103 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🚌 Education Mental health
  1. More schools are going phone-free, which means students won't use phones during the whole school day. This helps them focus on learning and connecting with friends.
  2. Total phone bans can improve students' grades and attention in class. Teachers also feel less distracted and more engaged with their students.
  3. Policies are being created to guide schools on how to effectively limit phone use. This is often driven by parents who see the negative effects of phones on children.

Disaffected, Episode 153: Jan 6, 2024

Disaffected Newsletter • 519 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health
  1. A Harvard president resigned due to plagiarism, which connects to larger racial issues in America from the last several decades.
  2. Activists are bringing Drag Queen Story Hour to rural areas in Vermont, aiming to reach children in conservative communities.
  3. A discussion on the signs and behaviors of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder is highlighted through a text conversation example.
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Eating Disorders Support ChatBot Promotes Weight Loss

Weight and Healthcare • 858 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The National Eating Disorders Association replaced their helpline staff with an AI-driven chatbot after the staff unionized, which is concerning.
  2. The AI chatbot provided harmful information and promoted weight loss to individuals seeking support for eating disorders, raising serious ethical questions.
  3. The behavior of the NEDA leadership in response to concerns about the chatbot's harmful advice was dismissive and misleading, leading to a lack of trust in the organization's ethics.

The Alternative Universe Offered to Children

Bodies get in the way... • 452 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Children do not have the ability to fully understand complex issues like changing their sex or identifying as transgender.
  2. Socially transitioning children and giving them puberty blockers can have harmful physical and psychological effects.
  3. It is important for adults to safeguard children from any harm, whether it be from predatory behavior or from misguided beliefs about gender identity.

confidence

Mind Mud • 845 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Believe in the value of your own voice.
  2. Resilience comes from making hard decisions and telling personal stories.
  3. It's important to feel listened to and seen by loved ones.

It takes 23 mins to recover after an interruption

Elevate • 616 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track after an interruption, impacting productivity significantly.
  2. Context switching involves more than just changing tasks; it's like asking your brain to switch languages, leading to cognitive drain.
  3. Strategies for managing context switching include understanding task importance, using tech tools wisely, and fostering a workspace culture that respects deep work.

When will psychiatry invent the barcode?

Wood From Eden • 1344 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. Psychiatry has a problem with labels. Many old labels have been removed without clear replacements, making research and understanding harder.
  2. Using numbers instead of words could help describe a person's mental health better. A barcode-like system could show traits and abilities at a glance.
  3. Psychology is subjective and changes over time. Collecting more data through tests can help improve understanding and research in mental health.

‘I Was Fired After Blowing the Whistle’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3162 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. Several therapists have spoken out in fear that medical treatment of minors with gender dysphoria may be harming youths.
  2. Speakers like Tamara and Jamie, despite facing challenges, continue to advocate for the importance of speaking out regarding concerns about youth gender medicine.
  3. Supportive coalitions like The LGBT Courage Coalition and advice from whistleblowers are available for those considering speaking out on topics like pediatric gender medicine.

The Barefoot Edition

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Running barefoot can help you feel the ground better and improve your natural running form. This connection can reduce the chances of getting hurt.
  2. Proprioception, or your body's awareness of its position and movement, is enhanced when you run without bulky shoes. With less padding, you get better feedback from the ground.
  3. Even though many places don't allow running barefoot, it's possible to find ways to get that natural feel for your feet, like running on grass or sand when you can.

This Is How to Stop Ruminating

The Dose • 825 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Rumination is a persistent and repetitive pattern of self-focused thinking.
  2. Strategies to interrupt negative rumination include taking a walk in the park and scheduling time to worry.
  3. Imagining what your future self might think about a current stressor can help reduce emotional distress.

#150: Pregnant

Maybe Baby • 5226 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The author discovered she was pregnant unexpectedly
  2. Early pregnancy symptoms and experiences can be challenging
  3. Pregnancy has deeply intertwined the author's physical and emotional experiences

On Self-Improvement

The Commonplace • 1245 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The self-improvement industry often takes advantage of people's desires, making them feel like they need to buy tips or products to be better. It's important to recognize that wanting to improve ourselves is normal, but the way these products sell improvement can be misleading.
  2. Many people know what they need to do to improve their lives but don't actually take action. Instead of waiting for the perfect moment or the right advice, it's better to focus on accepting yourself and taking small steps towards what you want.
  3. The self-improvement culture can become a trap, making people feel guilty for not achieving unrealistic goals. It’s okay to want to escape from pressure, and sometimes, it's smarter to step back from all the noise and figure out what truly makes you happy.

Reframing Aging

Changing The Channel • 817 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Aging is often viewed negatively in American society, with emphasis on trying to 'stay young' and a lack of respect for elders' wisdom.
  2. The Modern Elder Academy in Baja, Mexico focuses on helping people navigate the second half of life.
  3. There's an emphasis on valuing the wisdom of elders, a concept that is often overlooked, particularly by white individuals.

Comfort work

Austin Kleon • 2517 implied HN points • 18 Oct 22
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Comfort work is the type of work you do when you're unsure what else to tackle. It's about finding tasks that feel good and familiar, especially when you're feeling tired or unmotivated.
  2. This kind of work should still be rewarding. It needs to be challenging enough to count as real work, but not so overwhelming that it feels stressful.
  3. Everyone experiences moments when they need comfort in their work. Understanding this can help you be kind to yourself and find productive ways to cope during tough times.

Health is Wealth

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 479 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. OpenAI is focusing more on health. They are creating tools like a personalized fitness coach and a pediatric care service using AI.
  2. ChatGPT has been able to help save lives, including diagnosing rare conditions in children. It's showing it can be very helpful in medical situations.
  3. Studies suggest that AI like ChatGPT might be more understanding and empathetic compared to some doctors. This could change how we think about healthcare.

You’re Not Broken. You’re Just Heading the Wrong Way.

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 10 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Labels that describe a mental state can freeze a temporary condition into identity and hide whether you’re moving toward recovery or decline.
  2. People move in spirals of effort and recovery, not straight lines, so incomplete recovery can leave you starting each cycle lower and slowly spiral downward without obvious collapse.
  3. The loss of play and fun is an early warning sign that pressure is narrowing your life; noticing small signals and asking which way you’re spiralling lets you change direction before things get worse.

the wince

bookbear express • 1095 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The 'wince' is a feeling we get when we're avoiding things we actually want to do. It's a sign that we care about those things, even if they seem hard or unpleasant.
  2. Recognizing your wince can help you make better choices and create healthy habits. It’s important to figure out whether you should push through the discomfort or let something go.
  3. Everyone experiences fear of hardship, but noticing and facing your wince can lead to personal growth. It helps us move towards what truly matters in our lives.

Mommie Issues

Disaffected Newsletter • 779 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🎙 Podcasts Mental health
  1. Domestic abuse has become openly common in society. It's not just a personal issue, but affects our politics and culture too.
  2. The show 'Disaffected' started to explore these serious themes in a personal way. Talking about individual experiences helps highlight larger societal problems.
  3. Childhood experiences, especially under difficult or abusive circumstances, can shape one's understanding of public issues today. These personal stories can help illustrate what’s wrong in the world now.

Why Australia is Setting a Minimum Age of 16 for Creating a Social Media Account

After Babel • 1272 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health
  1. Australia plans to set a minimum age of 16 for social media accounts. This is to help protect young people from online harm and encourage them to enjoy real-life activities instead of getting lost in social media.
  2. Research shows a big increase in mental health issues among young Australians, which coincides with the rise of smartphones and social media. The government believes that limiting social media use can help improve young people's mental wellbeing.
  3. The new law will hold social media companies responsible for checking users' ages. If they fail to enforce this rule, they could face hefty fines, which will help make sure children's online experiences are safer.

Will You Turn Off Your Phone for 24 Hours?

The Analog Family • 319 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Global Day of Unplugging encourages people to turn off their phones for 24 hours. It helps us realize how much we rely on our devices.
  2. Unplugging can improve our relationships, especially with kids who crave attention from parents. By disconnecting, we can reconnect better with each other.
  3. Taking a break from screens can lead to a fun and refreshing experience. It might inspire us to make unplugging a regular habit.

What The Detransitioner Clementine Breen’s Gender “Therapy” Looked Like

Singal-Minded • 1083 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Mental health
  1. Clementine Breen, a UCLA student, is suing her doctor for care she received during her transition. She feels that the treatments led her to regret her decisions.
  2. Breen's therapy involved close connections between her therapist and the medical staff, which raises concerns about impartiality. This makes it important to have independent support in such sensitive situations.
  3. There were signs that Breen's gender identity questions came about due to recent family trauma, suggesting that therapists should explore underlying issues before making treatment decisions.

Reader Question – Is Obesity an Addiction Like Alcohol or Gambling?

Weight and Healthcare • 758 implied HN points • 11 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Obesity is not an addiction like alcohol or gambling; it is simply defined by a BMI of 30 or higher.
  2. Alcohol use disorder and gambling disorders have specific diagnostic criteria and shared behaviors, while obesity is not behavior-based.
  3. The concept of food addiction is controversial, and pathologizing higher weight bodies can be rooted in racism and anti-Blackness and perpetuated by the weight loss industry.

You know nothing, John Snow

Logging the World • 538 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. The Zero COVID messaging may be targeting activities like brunch and Christmas parties as risky, while overlooking more dangerous professions that face higher COVID risks.
  2. Lockdown experiences were not equal, with some having professional jobs that were easier to adapt while others faced risks from working in less safe environments like warehouses or factories.
  3. There is a class divide in how COVID risks are perceived, with some people able to prioritize safety measures while others faced greater risks due to the nature of their work.

Five Steps for Making Difficult Decisions

Are You Okay? • 758 implied HN points • 25 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Life involves trade-offs, especially during situations like COVID where risks are present. Decisions need to balance the risk of doing something versus the risk of not doing it.
  2. COVID is here to stay, and managing risks associated with it requires breaking down decisions into assessing the risks and benefits of actions.
  3. When making difficult decisions involving health, it's vital to define personal values, understand facts, and weigh the risks of action versus inaction.

How Naomi Osaka found her voice

Power Plays • 432 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Mental health
  1. Naomi Osaka found her voice through social activism and empowerment during her tennis career.
  2. Author Ben Rothenberg's book about Naomi Osaka explores her journey through the lens of the tennis tour.
  3. Osaka's relationship with press conferences shifted over time, from engaging to distressing due to various factors.

How to Make Love Stay?

Seven Senses • 359 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Love requires effort and honesty to grow. It's important to reflect on our own qualities and flaws in a relationship rather than blaming our partner.
  2. Real love changes us and teaches us about ourselves. Over time, we can find comfort in familiarity while still allowing love to evolve.
  3. Instead of searching for a perfect partner, we should focus on creating and nurturing perfect love together. This is the key to making love last.

I Do Nothing at Work and No One Seems To Notice or Care

antoniomelonio • 987 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Mental health
  1. Many white-collar workers feel like they do little to no meaningful work, even though they get paid well. This creates a sense of guilt when they see others, like manual laborers, working hard for less pay.
  2. Jobs often seem pointless, defined by layers of bureaucracy and processes that don’t truly serve people. This leads to feelings of alienation and boredom for many in those roles.
  3. There’s a growing concern about the future of work with the rise of AI. Many jobs may become obsolete, raising questions about how society will adapt and what meaningful work will look like.

Why I'm Increasingly Worried About Boys, Too

After Babel • 3310 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health
  1. Boys have been increasingly withdrawn from the real world into the virtual world since the 1970s.
  2. Boys are experiencing a mental health crisis driven by factors different from girls, including retreat from real-world pursuits.
  3. The rise of technology and entertainment has played a significant role in pulling boys away from real-world activities and into the virtual world.