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Category: mental health

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Mental health

How Caregiver Loneliness Drives Depression…And What Helps

It’s 1:12 a.m. when Rosa finally sits down. Her teenage son—who has a rare developmental disability—has fallen asleep after hours of restlessness. The house is quiet, but Rosa’s mind isn’t. She hasn’t spoken to another adult all day. Her phone buzzes with unread messages from friends she hasn’t had time to meet in months. Rosa’s […]

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Mental health

Rural Opioid Crisis: New Evidence Shows a Deadlier Pattern

A paramedic in Northern Ontario trudges through deep snow toward a cabin where someone is reportedly unresponsive. The nearest emergency department is more than an hour away, and support is limited. After receiving repeated doses of naloxone, the individual finally begins to breathe. Scenes like this are increasingly common across rural and sparsely populated communities, […]

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Global

Three Barriers Keeping Ugandan Youth from Getting Help for Substance Use

I don’t belong here.” That’s how one young adult in Lango, Uganda, described being admitted for substance use treatment. A new study in Frontiers in Public Health reveals why so many young people in sub-Saharan Africa never seek or complete care for substance use disorders (SUDs). 1. Substance use starts early—and feels “normal.” In many […]

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Mental health

When Knowledge Saves Lives: Tackling Suicide Stigma Through Education

“Only seven people out of nearly a thousand could answer most questions about suicide correctly.” That’s one of the most striking findings from a 2025 study of everyday citizens in Iran. It’s not a typo—less than one percent had strong knowledge about suicide. And the less people knew, the more likely they were to believe […]

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Mental health

Exploring the Intersection of Public Health and Nature

Understanding the vital connection between public health and nature has never been more crucial. As societies continue to urbanize and industrialize, the natural environment remains a key factor in shaping community wellbeing, resilience, and overall health outcomes. The Importance of Nature for Public Health Nature plays a multifaceted role in supporting public health. From promoting […]

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Mental health

Why Smoking Gestures May Be Harder to Quit Than Nicotine

Here’s a personal anecdote. I gave up smoking in 2008, coming down from a pack a day. I gave up drinking in 2017, coming down from similar amounts. I don’t want a drink. I still sometimes crave a cigarette It’s not uncommon. Picture a smoker stepping outside during a stressful day. Before the first puff, […]

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Mental health

Managing the Vagus Nerve: A Key to Improved Mental Health in Public Health

Stress appears to be an ever-present factor that influences our lives, affecting both our mental and physical well-being. Recent insights into the vagus nerve present promising opportunities for managing stress and improving mental health, aligning with sentiments expressed in public health narratives. BBC News highlights that training this vital nerve might provide individuals with a […]

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Mental health

How Trauma-Informed Care Can Transform Homeless Services

On a cold Ottawa morning, a peer support worker named Jen sits across from a man at a drop-in center. He’s wary—one eye on the door, one hand on his coffee. She doesn’t start with a checklist or clipboard. She starts with a question: “How are you sleeping?” It’s not small talk. It’s a lifeline. […]

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Health equity

What’s Blocking Mexico’s Push for Teen Mental Health

In a small rural clinic in Chiapas, a 17-year-old girl sits with her mother, explaining that she hasn’t slept well in weeks. She’s been anxious, skipping school, and sometimes thinks about ending her life. The nurse listening to her story has compassion—but not the tools, training, or referral network to help.Scenes like this are becoming […]

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Mental health

How a Pittsburgh Program Cuts Overdose Risk by 99%

When Marcus left the Allegheny County Jail, he had nothing—no ID, no insurance, no medication for his opioid use disorder. What he did have was a phone number handed to him before release. He called it the next morning. Within hours, he was speaking to a doctor, receiving a prescription for buprenorphine, and setting up […]

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Mental health

What the Holidays Reveal About Suicide Risk

On a snowy Christmas morning, emergency rooms around the world tend to be quieter than usual. But just a week later, on New Year’s Day, that calm can break. Across dozens of studies, researchers have found that suicide rates spike when the calendar turns—a stark reminder that the transition from one year to the next […]

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