NPR Topics: Mental Health https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1029 NPR covers mental health, happiness, depression, and treatment options. Subscribe to the RSS feed. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:16:49 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Topics: Mental Health https://www.npr.org/sections/mental-health/ Therapists are using AI to take notes. Is it a useful tool or a breach of trust? New companies are selling artificial intelligence assistance to mental health therapists. The AI tools can help with administration and recordkeeping, but some patients worry about their privacy. Tue, 26 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/26/nx-s1-5826943/talk-therapy-mental-health-ai-artificial-intelligence-privacy-trust https://www.npr.org/2026/05/26/nx-s1-5826943/talk-therapy-mental-health-ai-artificial-intelligence-privacy-trust

New companies are selling artificial intelligence assistance to mental health therapists. The AI tools can help with administration and recordkeeping, but some patients worry about their privacy.

(Image credit: Fiordaliso)

]]> Windsor Johnston 'My body carried me,' Elizabeth Smart says. Now she's celebrating it Her abduction at age 14 drew international attention. After her rescue, Smart says she struggled with feeling shame around her body. Bodybuilding has helped her see herself differently. Mon, 25 May 2026 05:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/25/nx-s1-5832603/elizabeth-smart-bodybuilding-trauma-exercise https://www.npr.org/2026/05/25/nx-s1-5832603/elizabeth-smart-bodybuilding-trauma-exercise

Her abduction at age 14 drew international attention. After her rescue, Smart says she struggled with feeling shame around her body. Bodybuilding has helped her see herself differently.

(Image credit: Kim Raff for NPR)

]]> Windsor Johnston School children at San Diego mosque need support to process trauma of shooting After shootings like the one at the San Diego mosque, people on site and in a community who are not physically hurt also suffer. Children are especially vulnerable. Tue, 19 May 2026 15:42:38 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/19/nx-s1-5826700/school-children-at-san-diego-mosque-need-support-to-process-trauma-of-shooting https://www.npr.org/2026/05/19/nx-s1-5826700/school-children-at-san-diego-mosque-need-support-to-process-trauma-of-shooting After shootings like the one at the San Diego mosque, people on site and in a community who are not physically hurt also suffer. Children are especially vulnerable.

]]> Rhitu Chatterjee A growing number of therapists are using AI to record sessions and make notes Artificial intelligence in mental health treatment, including the use of AI to record sessions, transcribe conversations and generate clinical notes, is a new, rapidly changing terrain. Mon, 18 May 2026 04:45:39 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/nx-s1-5746847/a-growing-number-of-therapists-are-using-ai-to-record-sessions-and-make-notes https://www.npr.org/2026/05/18/nx-s1-5746847/a-growing-number-of-therapists-are-using-ai-to-record-sessions-and-make-notes Artificial intelligence in mental health treatment, including the use of AI to record sessions, transcribe conversations and generate clinical notes, is a new, rapidly changing terrain.

]]> Windsor Johnston One clinic tracks the heavy toll Trump's immigration crackdown takes on mental health Zocalo Health, a primary care organization, screens all its patients for depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. It documented a marked increase in those conditions since ICE enforcement actions began. Sun, 17 May 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/17/nx-s1-5779576/immigration-ice-cbp-mental-health-children https://www.npr.org/2026/05/17/nx-s1-5779576/immigration-ice-cbp-mental-health-children

Zocalo Health, a primary care organization, screens all its patients for depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. It documented a marked increase in those conditions since ICE enforcement actions began.

(Image credit: Michael M. Santiago)

]]> Rhitu Chatterjee Psychiatrists say RFK Jr.'s take on SSRIs is an 'oversimplification' of the problem The American Psychiatric Association says too few patients can access comprehensive mental health care in the United States. It welcomes new investments in improving access to evidence-based care. Thu, 07 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/05/07/nx-s1-5814083/rfk-jr-hhs-ssri-antidepressant-psychiatry-therapy-mental-health https://www.npr.org/2026/05/07/nx-s1-5814083/rfk-jr-hhs-ssri-antidepressant-psychiatry-therapy-mental-health

The American Psychiatric Association says too few patients can access comprehensive mental health care in the United States. It welcomes new investments in improving access to evidence-based care.

(Image credit: Rod Lamkey)

]]> Rhitu Chatterjee Suicide rates have dropped since the 2022 launch of the 988 line NPR's Juana Summers talks with Angela Kimball of the mental health advocacy group Inseparable about the drop in suicide rates after the launch of the 988 Lifeline. Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:37:58 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/04/30/nx-s1-5801434/suicide-rates-have-dropped-since-the-2022-launch-of-the-988-line https://www.npr.org/2026/04/30/nx-s1-5801434/suicide-rates-have-dropped-since-the-2022-launch-of-the-988-line NPR's Juana Summers talks with Angela Kimball of the mental health advocacy group Inseparable about the drop in suicide rates after the launch of the 988 Lifeline.

]]> Mia Venkat Welcome to 'Anxietyland' theme park, where the rides are no fun From the Emotional Roller Coaster to the Worry-go-round, cartoonist Gemma Correll walks us through her brain's not-so-amusing amusement park in a darkly funny memoir<em>.</em> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 10:03:11 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5803158/anxietyland-review-gemma-correll https://www.npr.org/2026/04/29/nx-s1-5803158/anxietyland-review-gemma-correll

From the Emotional Roller Coaster to the Worry-go-round, cartoonist Gemma Correll walks us through her brain's not-so-amusing amusement park in a darkly funny memoir.

]]> LA Johnson In Iowa, there's a push to make mental health care a part of cancer treatment In Iowa, one of the few states where cancer rates are increasing, there's more awareness that patients may need more mental health support during treatment and also after it ends. Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:42:25 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/04/22/nx-s1-5766368/in-iowa-theres-a-push-to-make-mental-health-care-a-part-of-cancer-treatment https://www.npr.org/2026/04/22/nx-s1-5766368/in-iowa-theres-a-push-to-make-mental-health-care-a-part-of-cancer-treatment In Iowa, one of the few states where cancer rates are increasing, there's more awareness that patients may need more mental health support during treatment and also after it ends.

]]> Natalie Krebs Want to lighten your mental load? First, let go of these gender myths "Men can't see the mess." "Women are better at chores." These myths position women to take on more emotional thinking, says researcher Leah Ruppanner. She shares what works to reclaim your headspace. Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:24:43 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2026/04/21/nx-s1-5736111/want-to-lighten-your-mental-load-first-let-go-of-these-gender-myths https://www.npr.org/2026/04/21/nx-s1-5736111/want-to-lighten-your-mental-load-first-let-go-of-these-gender-myths Drained: Reduce Your Mental Load to Do Less and Be More, busts pervasive cultural myths that keep a woman's mental load heavy.'/>

"Men can't see the mess." "Women are better at chores." These myths position women to take on more emotional thinking, says researcher Leah Ruppanner. She shares what works to reclaim your headspace.

(Image credit: Malte Mueller/Getty, Composite by NPR)

]]> Andee Tagle