Research on psychological wellbeing and how to protect it. Covers depression and anxiety, stress, cognitive-behavioral programs, screening, and the effects of exercise.
A global review found that high temperatures and heatwaves are associated with poorer mental health outcomes in children, with a 25% increase in risk during heatwaves. The study suggests targeted interventions for children and young people to mitigate the effects of climate change on their mental wellbeing.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine suggests that good sleep quality is more important than screen time for helping adolescents succeed in school and maintain healthy friendships. Healthy sleep habits explained a substantial portion of the relationship between mental health symptoms and school performance.
A new study by Penn State researchers found that strong social bonds and public recognition for achievements can reduce suicidal thoughts and behavior among teenagers. The study analyzed data from nearly 200,000 Pennsylvania teens and found that personal connections with family, school, and community can decrease suicide risk.
A new study found that four in ten children who attend Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in Scotland go on to access adult mental health services. Eight percent of these children accounted for 46% of all adult psychiatric inpatient bed days and 41% of all NHS adult mental health outpatient appointments by the age of 32.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry found that about 65% of patients who developed psychosis after age 40 showed abnormal tau buildup, compared to 15% of healthy older controls. The findings suggest diverse tau-related brain changes may be involved in late-onset psychosis.
A new study reveals soaring infant formula milk prices are causing financial strain, anxiety, guilt, and isolation among UK parents. The research found nearly every parent surveyed reported damage to their mental health, with some feeling regret over having a baby due to the high cost of formula.
A study published in Scientific Reports found that watching comedy videos can help improve recognition of subtle positive facial expressions, particularly when inducing a positive mood. Individual differences in empathy and depressive symptoms also play a role in this improvement.
Researchers used natural language processing models to analyze interviews of over 200 children aged 9-13, who discussed stressful events. The study found that the style of their speech was more predictive of future mental health issues than its content.
A study of over 128,000 US adults found that children of divorce had a 41% higher odds of depression in adulthood. Parental mental illness and substance use were key factors underlying this association.
A new USC study found that LA County residents in evacuation zones experienced heightened levels of anxiety and depression after the 2025 wildfires. The effects were greatest among those facing social and economic hardship, highlighting the need for policies to bolster housing security and community support networks.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz found that oral semaglutide reduced heavy drinking and alcohol-related harm in adults with Alcohol Use Disorder. The medication, commonly used for diabetes and weight loss, showed consistent reductions in harmful real-world drinking behavior.
A Swiss study finds that the quality of relationships between humans and animals is more important than pet ownership in determining wellbeing. The research suggests that women, people who spend more time with animals, and those who feel close to them report stronger emotional support from their pets.
A randomized trial found a significant reduction in alcohol use among refugees and locals in Mantapala refugee settlement. The SBIRT intervention was more effective than treatment as usual, with sustained effects over 12 months.
The journal aims to bridge the gaps in real-world deployment, long-term safety, and systemic equity by establishing a comprehensive research pipeline focused on clinical efficacy, implementation, and safety. Research exploring workflow compatibility, equitable access, user engagement, and economic sustainability of DMHIs is welcome.
A US county-level analysis reveals a significant association between high levels of household debt and increased suicide rates during the Great Recession. Suicide rates doubled for men and tripled for adults aged 40–64 years in high-debt counties, highlighting the need for policy interventions targeting mental health impacts.
The study found that the funding freeze disrupted sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV service interruptions, mental health crises, and growing inequities. Researchers propose diversified global health financing, stronger domestic preparedness, and rights-based approaches to mitigate future policy shocks.
A University of Maryland-led study analyzing Danish health records found no evidence that first medication or procedural abortion increases mental health prescription use. After five years, filling such prescriptions decreased, suggesting neither method increases risk of mental health issues.
A new Rutgers study reveals that individuals with psychiatric conditions exhibit reduced brain network dynamics, which can be used to distinguish between patients and healthy individuals. The findings also suggest that dynamic features of brain function may provide a more precise way of understanding mental illness.
A study by North Carolina State University found that nature sounds and sights significantly improve mental health compared to urban environments. Participants who heard birdsong while walking in a forest reported lower stress levels, higher positive emotions, and increased feelings of restorativeness.
A new Global Burden of Disease study found that people are spending more years living with chronic disease and disability as global life expectancy increases. The analysis revealed that high-income countries face the widest morbidity gaps, while women consistently live longer but spend more years in poor health.
Patients with autoimmune limbic encephalitis experience altered hippocampus size and function, leading to memory loss and apathy. This study reveals a link between hippocampus damage and behavioral changes, shedding light on the condition's effects on cognition and motivation.
An AI platform called AutoReview scans health records against clinical guidelines to identify gaps and connect patients with available care solutions. The project aims to improve early detection and intervention, reducing hospitalisations by up to 25% and saving lives.
The Lurie Children's Mood, Anxiety, ADHD Collaborative Care (MAACC) program prepares pediatricians to manage mental health conditions on their own. This enables more children to access care despite the shortage of pediatric mental health professionals.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine identified a biological process that sheds new light on how memory circuits mature during late adolescence. The study found that memories formed earlier in life become temporarily difficult to retrieve before resurfacing later with less precise detail.
A new collaborative study found loneliness strongly linked to poorer mental health and lower wellbeing, as well as worse general health. The research suggests that supporting people who feel lonely or socially isolated could help improve mental health and overall health.
This economic evaluation characterizes U.S. lobbying spending in the mental health field from 2014 to 2024, revealing significant growth. The study highlights increasing lobbying efforts in psychiatry and psychology, suggesting a shift towards more prominent advocacy for mental health issues.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation recognizes six early-career scientists for their outstanding contributions to mental health research, including Dr. Joline Fan's work on brain circuitry and personalized neuromodulation therapies, and Dr. Nili Solomonov's development of scalable neuroscience-informed psychotherapies for depression.
A new study from UT San Antonio finds that emergency call takers' word choice can predict depression and anxiety symptoms, while positive expressions are often suppressed in high-stress professions. The research uses natural language processing to evaluate the psychological well-being of a critical but under-researched workforce.
A joint KAIST–University of Tokyo research team found that temperature-related suicide mortality is expected to rise globally due to climate change. Regional differences in future rises are driven by varying temperature-suicide relationships, with East Asia and South America projected to see relatively small increases.
A new study found that adults with disabilities have more than three times the rate of alcohol use disorder diagnoses compared to adults without disabilities in the US. Adults with serious mental illness and acquired brain injuries had the highest rates of AUD, with men with disabilities having the highest rates.
A new University of Michigan poll reveals that 31% of people aged 50 and over have never heard of any mental health crisis line, while 69% are unfamiliar with 988. Despite this, most participants expressed willingness to use these services in a mental health emergency, highlighting the need for increased awareness-raising efforts.
A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem found that low body esteem, problematic social media use, and other factors are linked to addictive-like behavior in women who undergo repeated cosmetic treatments. Nearly 20% of surveyed women met the threshold for moderate-to-severe risk of addictive cosmetic procedure use.
A digital therapy platform, iACT4CARERS, has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in dementia carers after three and six months. The study, which involved almost 500 volunteers, found that carers using the platform had lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to those receiving usual care alone.
A new study by University College London researchers found that social prescribing improved behavior, relationships, and resilience among adolescents waiting for specialist mental health services. Young people who received social prescribing reported enhanced connections with others, increased confidence, and higher self-esteem.
A recent study reveals that astrocyte subtype dynamics play a crucial role in regulating mental health, particularly in mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The review highlights how inflammatory signaling, metabolic imbalance, and ion channel dysfunction contribute to disease progression.
The Neuroscape Technology for Aging Health - Digital Approaches (TAH-DA) longitudinal study aims to identify biometric predictors of cognitive decline over a year. Participants will use Samsung wearable technology and digital interventions to assess brain health.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that British Bangladeshi and British Pakistani individuals are more likely to develop multimorbidity, a condition where people experience multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously. The research identified sociodemographic and genetic factors that increase the risk of developing these conditions,...
A new project developed by the University of Birmingham and Mind in Camden aims to improve understanding and response to people who hear voices, particularly when linked to suicidal thoughts. The resources encourage listening, curiosity, and collaboration to help individuals make sense of their experiences and feel more supported.
A national study found that pediatric mental health treatment patterns rebounded and exceeded pre-pandemic levels, driven by new patients seeking care. Antidepressant prescriptions rose significantly among girls, with a notable increase in the youngest children.
A new book identifies nine types of procrastinators, from worriers to thrill seekers, and offers strategies for overcoming the problem. Procrastination causes serious harm to finances, health, relationships, and careers, but can be overcome with the right approach.
A survey of Illinois emergency departments found that many hospitals lack pediatric mental health specialists and struggle with timely access to evaluation by a mental health professional. The study proposes practical solutions, such as investing in mental health staffing, therapeutic activities, and real-time bed tracking to improve c...
Researchers from Penn, NYU, and the Linguistic Data Consortium create virtual patients with adjustable psychiatric symptoms to simulate real-world conversations. The STELLAR platform aims to augment clinician training practices with essential conversation scenarios.
A new study suggests that following a Mediterranean diet may provide additional benefits for mental health, particularly among older adults. The research found that individuals with greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet had less decline in emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The e-BOCCHI program, developed to address adolescent loneliness, showed statistically significant reductions in depressive symptoms. Participants demonstrated improvements in help-seeking skills compared to baseline, but modest improvements in loneliness and self-esteem scores.
The Digital Badge Program addresses concerns about AI chatbots and mobile applications for mental health support, providing feedback to developers on regulation, safety, data protection, and usability. The program's focus on continuous refinement allows companies to address deficiencies before earning a badge.
A new study by Swansea University introduces a One Health Sustainability Framework linking biodiversity, ecological condition, and environmental sustainability with wellbeing outcomes in nature prescribing. The framework highlights the need to understand what kinds of nature and how much are needed to support health in a sustainable way.
Researchers from Wroclaw Medical University analyzed the available literature on psychedelics and ADHD. While some studies reported short-term improvements, these findings cannot determine treatment efficacy due to study design limitations. The current evidence is insufficient to support psychedelics as a treatment for ADHD.
The July 2026 issues of APA journals showcase promising findings on social determinants of health, digital therapeutics, and other topics. Researchers explore substance use patterns and telehealth initiatives in rural communities.
Dr. Logan Townsend joins Pennington Biomedical to study the connection between metabolic disease and mental health, investigating circulating factors influencing anxiety and depression. His research program aims to improve both metabolic and mental health outcomes.
A cohort study found that upper secondary school settings are associated with mental health trajectories in adolescents, suggesting a link between peer environments and risk of mental disorders. The study's findings highlight the importance of considering environmental factors in understanding adolescent mental health.
A new clinical trial led by University College London researchers found that ten weeks of cognitive rehabilitation can help people with long Covid symptoms such as brain fog achieve their goals in returning to work and hobbies. The treatment yielded benefits that lasted for at least six months for most participants.
A systematic review found that creatine monohydrate may reduce depressive symptoms in people taking standard antidepressants, with two trials showing significant benefits. However, three trials showed no effect, and the evidence is not yet settled due to limitations such as small sample sizes and biased patient enrollment.
Researchers at University of Toyama found three risk factors for mother-infant bonding disorders: difficulty holding a fussy baby, low happiness about pregnancy, and lack of social support. These factors predict increased risks of developmental delays and child abuse.
Researchers found limited benefits to under-twos' screen time and a lack of guidance for parents, calling for targeted support and reduced screen time. The iADDICT group recommends no intentional screen time for under-twos to mitigate developmental concerns and promote healthier habits.
Research from the University of East Anglia found that even modest changes in weather can impact mental health service demand, with increases during hot weather and low sunshine. Fluctuations in temperature and sunlight exposure were linked to shifts in unscheduled healthcare use, with rainfall appearing to have little consistent effect.
A new UNC study explores how social media can address youth loneliness. Peer-driven social media content, featuring relatable individuals, was found to be more effective at encouraging participants to seek in-person social interaction than control content.
A study of 87,577 adults found that average daytime light exposure above 1,000 lux reduced dementia risk by 16%. Longer exposure to bright light was associated with an even greater reduction in risk. Daytime light exposure was stronger predictor of dementia than established risk factors.
A decade of canine research suggests that genetically engineered Beagles could be a complementary and welfare-conscious model for autism treatments. The study gathers findings on the behavior and traits of these dogs in relation to human autism, including signs of treatment with oxytocin and psychedelics.
A new article by Trevor van Mierlo highlights the importance of trust in digital behavioral health. Key findings include the need for dynamic governance and verifiable audit trails to address mistrust issues.
Most adults in Singapore living with anxiety or depression are open to receiving support from peers, even if they haven't sought professional help. Peer support is identified as a potentially important complement to existing healthcare infrastructure, offering a community-based pathway to encourage more people to seek help earlier.