Innholdsfortegnelse for The 2025 Mental Health Edition i The Goodnewspaper

I don’t need to tell you how absurdly scary the world feels right now. I could write you a list of the things most Americans are concerned about at this very moment, and I could diatribe all day about the seemingly endless horrors unfolding across the world. But that wouldn’t give you the full picture. It’s true that things are really bad. And they’re also really good. Where a government cuts SNAP benefits, communities feed each other. Where violence rages, brave voices calling for peace are louder. Where anxiety, depression, and trauma squeeze us, love holds tighter. No one needs help knowing what’s going wrong in the world. The thing most of us need help with is the grueling, yet infinitely worthwhile, work of believing in humanity — even our…

The rules of Scream Club are simple: Show up and let it out. It all started in Chicago when a couple, Manny Hernandez and Elena Soboleva, had a tough week. Hernandez, a coach and breathwork expert, suggested they let out their feelings. The pair headed to Lake Michigan, where they screamed into the abyss. Then, people around them began to join in. Now, they host a weekly meetup where people are invited to write down what’s bothering them (on biodegradable paper), drop it in the water, and scream to their hearts’ content. Scream Club is also now a movement, with several U.S. cities starting their own chapters. While people could scream into a pillow on their own, doing it together is what its founders believe is key. “Being able to…

01 In Netflix’s “Heartbreak High,” Quinni (Chloé Hayden) is a thoughtful, caring, and infectiously friendly teenager. After masking for years, Quinni finally opens up to her friends, who embrace her with open arms. 02 In ABC’s “Not Dead Yet,” Edward (Rick Glassman) is a funny and forthright environmental lawyer who sticks to strict routines, collects “nerdy” toys, and is refreshingly honest with his roommate, Nell. 03 In HBO Max’s “The Pitt,” resident Mel King (Taylor Dearden) navigates a draining 15-hour emergency room shift with quick thinking and sensitive bedside manner, despite the high-sensory environment.…

GOOD Watch “Aging Matters,” a PBS documentary series that investigates the quality of life of seniors in Middle America. It also explores topics like veteran care and affordable senior housing. Episodes available at pbs.org. BETTER Donate to SAGE, which helps LGBTQ+ elders by advocating for them on a policy level, providing essential services, and connecting them with LGBTQ+ peers. Visit sageusa.org/get-involved/donate. BEST Join Big and Mini, a program that bridges gaps between older and younger generations by pairing seniors with younger friends via weekly video calls. Learn how to sign up at bigandmini.org.…

LOU, BEST KNOWN AS @NEURODIVERGENT_LOU on Instagram, is a writer, speaker, and creator who shares her lived experiences and educational materials surrounding autism. She provides tools for her community to thrive as autistic people in a non-autistic world, while also debunking myths and stigmas surrounding ASD. COURN AHN, OR @CANDY.COURN on Instagram, is an artist, designer, and advocate who shares resources, commentary, and insights into life as a non-binary autistic person of color. They educate about things like disability justice, stimming, sensory issues, and masking, all in a way that is upbeat and accessible. KAELYNN PARTLOW, @KAELYNNVP on Instagram, is an autism advocate best known for her appearance on Netflix’s “Love on the Spectrum.” Now, she is an advocate and author who uses her platform to both uplift other people…

Paris Hilton has come a long way from her days as a singer, model, and socialite on “The Simple Life.” She’s become a fierce advocate for children’s rights, particularly for teens in residential treatment facilities, and was a crucial voice in backing the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act. Most recently, she’s used her platform to reduce stigma surrounding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which she was diagnosed with as an adult. “I’ve learned to embrace it as a part of what makes me innovative, unique, creative, resilient, and so multifaceted,” she said in a social media post. In the fall of 2025, Hilton released “Paris & Pups,” a sparkly and stylish children’s show inspired by her love for animals — and her own upbringing as a child with undiagnosed ADHD. “I’m…

This issue of the newspaper includes stories about difficult topics such as suicide, trauma, and mental illness. We believe these stories will help you feel hopeful about these topics, but if you’re struggling with your mental health or the mental health of a loved one, that might make reading this issue difficult for you — please take care of yourself. To read an issue of the Goodnewspaper that is not about these topics, feel free to log in to your account at goodgoodgood.co and revisit some of our past issues centered around other topics. Additionally, you can find a list of mental health resources, call centers, and more at goodgoodgood.co/home. Please do not hesitate to seek help. Your story matters. Hope is real. And good news is ahead.…

Every year since 2007, researchers have conducted the Healthy Minds Study, gathering confidential data about the mental and behavioral health trends of college students. The 2024-2025 study recorded responses from more than 84,000 students at 135 colleges and universities. Results showed continuing declines, including severe depression dropping to 18% in 2025, down from 23% in 2022, and suicidal thoughts decreased to 11% from 15%. These decreases were seen for the third year in a row. “These sustained reductions tell me this is not a blip,” said Justin Heinze, a co-principal investigator of the study. “Whether it’s distance from the pandemic, better institutional support, or something else driving the change, I think this is a promising counter-narrative to what seems like constant headlines around young people’s struggles with mental health.” The…

Next to the need for safe and supportive housing, some people experiencing homelessness are also in need of mental and behavioral healthcare. To bridge the gap, Albany County in New York is implementing a new program designed to meet unhoused people where they already are. The county has employed a team of six people: A nurse, a mental health clinician, a case manager, a mental health care advocate, a certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor, and a supervising mental health clinician. Together, they are a street psychiatry team, working in public spaces to support people in need of care. “Basically, we’re going to give them their prescription right there, right on the street to go get filled, so they can really get the help that they need,” Albany County Executive…

Beloved PBS characters like Clifford the Big Red Dog and Arthur the Aardvark recently welcomed a new friend on their network: Carl the Collector. The fuzzy raccoon is the first autistic lead character in a PBS children’s series — and he’s voiced by Kai Barham, a 10-year-old autistic actor. “It makes me happy that I am finally being represented in a show,” Barham told The New York Times. “I hope that people who are not on the spectrum will learn that autism is not like the stereotypes.” The show, which is geared towards ages 4 to 8, is staffed by voice actors, writers, and directors who are autistic or have autistic family members. That first-hand experience guides the heart of the show, which challenges the idea that everyone on the…

“LIFE HACKS FOR A LITTLE ALIEN” by Alice Franklin is a novel that brings readers on a narrative journey of what it feels like to grow up neurodivergent. The protagonist wonders if she actually could be from another planet and follows a coming-of-age adventure that affirms and explores what it means to not belong. “WE’RE NOT BROKEN: CHANGING THE AUTISM CONVERSATION” by Eric M. Garcia came to life after its author was frustrated by mainstream media’s coverage of autism, especially around myths that the disorder is caused by vaccines. As a journalist and an autistic man himself, Garcia gives his community a place to speak for themselves, and gives readers a look into what it’s like to be autistic across America. “REDISCOVERED: A COMPASSIONATE AND COURAGEOUS GUIDE FOR LATE DISCOVERED…

“THE TELEPATHY TAPES” is a groundbreaking podcast that explores neuroscience and the unique abilities of non-speaking autistic individuals. The first season focuses solely on non-speaking autistic guests and their unique methods of communication. Season two expands the scope of the show, exploring forms of communication beyond what we thought was possible. “TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF WITH RICK GLASSMAN” is a podcast hosted by comedian Rick Glassman, who shares his experiences with neurodivergence through hilarious and intimate conversations with other beloved actors and comedians, all while advocating for greater understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity. “I’ve learned the language of comedy in an attempt to survive this shoes-on world,” Glassman describes in a show description. “AUTISTIC AFTER HOURS” is a podcast hosted by Ashra Louisa, an autistic comedian and content creator who…

Growing up, conversations about mental health were off-limits in Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr.’s West Indian Caribbean household. In fact, it took over three decades for Walrond to heed his calling in the field of mental healthcare, and it came after a distressing revelation. “Out of nowhere, I had a suicidal ideation,” Walrond told NPR. His first instinct was to keep his thoughts to himself — but instead, he found the strength to reach out to a therapist. It was a decision that ultimately saved his life. “I think in the African American community, historically, there’s been the normalization of trauma,” he says. “You don’t really see the mental health impact.” That’s when the pastor started a new initiative within his congregation at First Corinthian Baptist Church. Over 20 years,…

When it comes to mental health support, kids around the world are taking steps to ensure that they have each other’s backs. In Karnataka, India, the state’s first Child Rights Club started a “beacon buddies” program, where classmates can learn to detect early signs of distress in their peers and extend words of support. In Australia, the Peers for Teens and Young Adults program pairs young adults with autism together for four months to help them build confidence and develop their social skills. And every night in Los Angeles, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., a revolving group of teenagers provides vital support to people their age — just by picking up the phone. “A lot of people, when they hear Teen Line, or ‘Hotline,’ they think, ‘suicide call, crisis…

Dr. Jenny Taitz: @drjennytaitz is a clinical psychologist with specialties in acceptance and commitment therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. Her latest book “Stress Resets: How to Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes” provides practical solutions to help you cope with whatever comes up in daily life. Crystal Britt: @itscrystalbritt is a licensed clinical social worker providing psychotherapy for neurodivergent clients and highly sensitive folks like herself. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism later in life, she provides resources to people experiencing burnout, helps identify sensory needs, and leads “therapeutic gaming” through Dungeons & Dragons. Alex Mammadyarov: @alexmammadyarov is a licensed mental health counselor and psychotherapist. She works with clients processing all types of grief — from losing a loved one to family estrangement — as well as those navigating transitions,…

GOOD Know the warning signs of suicide. It is vital to be able to spot when someone might be at immediate risk of a suicide attempt. Visit samhsa.gov/mental-health/suicidal-behavior/warning-signs to learn the signs. BETTER Donate to nonprofits on the front lines of suicide prevention to bolster policy and advance life-saving research. You can support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at afsp.org. BEST Get a Be There Certificate. In as little as two hours, you can go from knowing nothing about supporting someone to having the skills to connect them safely with help. Check out betherecertificate.org for more.…

GOOD Know where to refer people in need of reduced-cost therapy. Open Path Collective is a platform of vetted therapists charging lower rates to close the mental health gap. Learn more at openpathcollective.org. BETTER Donate to To Write Love On Her Arms and help pay for someone’s treatment! The nonprofit’s Treatment & Recovery Scholarship helps erase financial barriers to mental health care. Contribute at twloha.com/donate. BEST Become a trained crisis counselor with Crisis Text Line. While this does not replace professional mental health care, it can be a lifeline for people in crisis. Get started at crisistextline.org/volunteer.…

According to a study by the University of Southern California’s Norman Lear Center, there’s been a substantial increase in positive portrayals of mental health in television since 2021. By examining programs produced by Showtime, MTV Entertainment, and the Paramount Media Network, the center conducted an audience impact study on 13 television storylines that emphasized mental health. Overall, the research team identified an industry-wide shift toward more inclusive and responsible portrayals of mental health, as well as a 15% drop in derogatory language. In audience surveys, viewers also indicated a greater willingness to seek help after watching TV shows that had been informed by experts and creators with lived experiences. “This research validates what we as storytellers have always known: authentic and nuanced storytelling has the power to drive meaningful societal…

Five years ago, a group of patients with clinical depression participated in a therapy trial for psilocybin, the psychedelic substance produced by over 200 species of mushrooms. The study, published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, involved two participant groups, with one receiving treatment immediately and the other receiving it after a short waiting period. Ultimately, both groups took two doses of psilocybin alongside 13 hours of psychotherapy. In 2025, the majority of participants did a follow-up study, and the results were overwhelmingly positive: Two-thirds of trial participants were in “complete remission” from depression. “We found that 67% were in remission at five years, compared to 58% at one year,” the study’s lead author, professor Alan Davis, told Ohio State News. Davis, who serves as the director at…

The #ActuallyAutistic hashtag was created as an alternative to the #autism hashtag to help highlight the voices and creations of people who are, well, actually autistic, online. It is inclusive of a diverse array of folks with Autism Spectrum Disorder and helps spotlight and platform the many lived experiences of autistic people. In an era where the agency of autistic people is being publicly undermined by individuals like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, it’s more important than ever to turn to the experts: Actual scientists and researchers, yes, but more importantly, autistic people themselves. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best books, podcasts, and content creators telling the real stories of life with autism — boldly, compassionately, and unapologetically.…

Henry “Tribes” Amoloja runs a sensory-friendly barbershop called The Weighted Cape that specializes in haircuts for neurodivergent children. And when it comes to making kids feel comfortable, he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve. “Oh, you’re a touchy guy, you’re going to love this spiky thing,” Amoloja said as he handed 4-year-old Jai a studded fidget toy that helps relieve pressure. He then showed CBS News his full arsenal: a big box of fidget spinners and play toys, a weighted stuffed animal named Trimmy, quiet clippers, talcum powder to prevent hair from sticking to skin, and his trademark weighted capes. “Everyone isn’t attuned to the needs of kids with autism and their sensory needs,” said Lauren Quinn, Jai’s mother, adding that Amoloja has been flexible from the start. “He…

Every year, the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication surveys a representative sample of Americans to gauge “top public worries” about climate change, policy, and general concerns among those living in the United States. In September 2025, the program revealed a few key findings about what Americans — often across political divides — said were causing them the most amount of stress. The top three sources of worry were government corruption (54%), cost of living and the economy (48%), and the state of democracy in the U.S. (44%). About a third of respondents also said they were “very worried” about issues like global warming, and about one-fourth shared their fears over job security. Around 43% of U.S. adults also reported that their screen usage is higher than they would like,…