mental illness

Person yelling at another lower in the image holding their head.

Stop Using Stigmatized Language!

Natalie VanHecke, University of Texas at Dallas

You’ve probably heard the expression, “I’m so OCD” or “ugh, this weather is so bipolar.” There’s also the “r” word that’s still frequently circulated.…

March 29, 2024

A white figure is seen approaching a black shadow-beast stretching out onto a blue background with white scratches. The beast lashes out in a hostile display, fangs bared, needle-like claws drawn and held up in a slicing gesture, whilst the white figure offers it red flowers tied in yellow paper as a sign of peace -- a perhaps healing.

Shadow Work vs. Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Uncovering Paths to Inner Growth

Sarah Erin, Brooklyn College

Is Shadow Work A Trending Phenomenon Reborn from the annals of history or a subset of Dialectical Behavior Therapy?…

March 24, 2024

A man in a blue gown with slick-backed hair sits on an examination table in a doctor's office adorned with diplomas, his sock adorned feet lying flat on a metal foot stool. Dr. Google is facing him, having clearly delivered terrible news based on his guarded posture, hands buried in his pockets; also, the fact that the man has broken down in tears and buried his face in his hands.

Social Media & Self-Diagnosis

Vera Pavlovich, Loyola University Maryland

With social media, awareness of symptoms of various diseases and disorders has spread rapidly, leading to a rise in self-diagnosis.…

February 23, 2024

Elmo stands in front of a grey staircase, flanked by brown walls, leading up to a set of blue doors. He is hugging an orange dolls close to his chest as he gives the audience a smile; the special kind, which is warm, and reassuring and promises you that everything will turn out all right in the end.

Elmo and Steve: “How Are You Doing?” Causes A Movement

Sarah Erin, Brooklyn College

From Sesame Street to Blue’s House, shedding light on the realities of mental health has taken center stage.…

February 23, 2024

In an article about high-functioning depression, a person in bed

High-Functioning Depression: A Dismissed Mental Illness

Nora Weiss, George Washington University

Despite its name, the disorder is associated with significant functional impairments. Yet, these challenges are often overlooked or misattributed, leaving the illness undetected.…

August 23, 2022

Image depicts young girl struggling with mental illness online.

Mental Illness in the Internet Age: A Community Commodified

Maggie Habermas, University of Texas at San Antonio

The battle to be seen online has morphed disorders into trends.…

April 5, 2022

To depict the pervasive dangers of the ideal of the tortured artist, an aestheticized sorrowful, muted blue-toned illustration shows a portrait of Sylvia Plath, who died by suicide, in a frame placed next to flowers and manuscripts.

The Tortured Artist Is a Dangerous and Damaging Stereotype

Kelsi Karpinski, Michigan State University

Society tells us that the most beautiful art is born out of suffering — a potentially life-threatening lie.…

August 28, 2021

College Students With ADHD Face Additional Roadblocks

Anastasiya Cernei, Missouri State University

While making major life transitions can be difficult for everyone, people with this disorder tend to face challenges that 'ordinary' people can't even begin to imagine.…

May 3, 2021

Living With Complex PTSD Is Painful, but It’s Not Impossible

Nnekakwo Adibe, Lesley University

This form of PTSD leads to a multitude of mental and physical symptoms that stem from repetitive trauma.…

December 17, 2020

The Politician. (Illustration by Eri Iguchi, Minneapolis College of Art and Design)

‘The Politician’ Uses High School Politics to Reflect on Real World Issues

Benjamin Chen, Columbia University

Payton Hobart is an ambitious student with White House aspirations, but he faces challenges that all viewers can relate to.…

November 3, 2020

Moon-young and Gang-tae from It's Okay to Not Be Okay

‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ Takes Viewers on a Journey of Healing

Reem Farhat, Fordham University

The groundbreaking Korean drama reimagines media representation of mental health to build a show about struggle and growth.…

July 30, 2020

A scene from Spring Awakening, one of several musicals with an important message

Here Are 5 Broadway Musicals With Meaningful Messages

Lauren Buchko, Michigan State University

Musical theater isn't just catchy songs and flashy dance numbers. Many shows have poignant messages about mental health, suicide, LGBTQ+ issues and more.…

April 20, 2020

What ‘WandaVision’ Might Tell Viewers About Delusional Disorder and Psychosis

S. T. Perez, Texas A&M University, San Antonio

Combining real-life issues and movie worlds isn't always a bad idea.…

March 2, 2020

‘Modern Love’ and the Oddities of 21st Century Affection

Carli Moses, Union University

Viewers looking for a nuanced presentation of love, whether it be romantic or familial, will swoon over this new anthology series.…

November 6, 2019

The 7 Best People to Follow If You Struggle With Mental Illness

Kaitlin Romriell, Southern New Hampshire University

Having a mental illness is not easy to face alone.…

September 5, 2019

How Journaling Helped Me Cope With My Anger

Zailin Peña, Southern Adventist University

It may sound like a cliché to "journal away your feelings," but maybe there's a reason for that.…

August 19, 2019

The Doctor Is In: Therapy Is the Medicine of Choice in Fox’s ‘Lucifer’

Madison Feser, Seton Hall University

It seems the Devil might actually care about mental health.…

August 14, 2019

Why You Should Listen to ‘Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence’

Haley Cohen, Quinnipiac University

This Dream Theater album's lyrical insight into mental illness is still relevant today.…

August 8, 2019

3 Celebrities Who Do Not Glamorize Mental Illness

Rickea Bell, Saint Peter’s University

No sugarcoating here, thanks.…

July 22, 2019

Thomas Sanders Explores Mental Illness in a Comprehensible Way

Kaitlin Romriell, Southern New Hampshire University

The YouTuber creates videos that explore mental illness by using different characters to voice different parts of his brain.…

July 22, 2019

Chris Grosso's "Dead Set on Living" will help you combat mental illness and addictive behaviors. (Image via The Indie Spiritualist)

Read ‘Dead Set On Living’ And Change Your Outlook on Life

Britni Hones, Lindenwood University, Belleville

Grosso's life lessons will definitely be useful to you, whether you've struggled with addiction or not.…

April 29, 2019

Neil Hilborn’s ‘Our Numbered Days’ Gives a Resilient Voice to Mental Illness

Shaina Lapuebla, Central Connecticut State University

The collection's title, like its contents, reflect the coexistence of optimism and despondency.…

June 30, 2018

8 of the Best TED Talks for Understanding and Discussing Mental Illness

Michelle Dreyer, Southern New Hampshire University

Talking about mental illness can be sensitive, so take some pointers from these experts.…

June 19, 2018

UCLA Artist Saloni Kothari Explores Weirdness, Stress and Mental Illness

Study Breaks Writer

The UCLA student is empowering others through her works of art and is aiming to destigmatize mental illness.…

April 27, 2018

Why ‘One Day At a Time’ Is The Most Important Show on Netflix

Isabelle Mencia, University of Florida

'One Day At a Time' speaks to the hottest topics in our society today, ranging from mental illnesses to LGBT experiences.…

February 26, 2018

Social Media’s Depression Jokes Normalize Mental Illness

Bonnie Wong, University of Southern California

Depression jokes have become the new social media trend, leaving many users falsely convinced that they have a mental illness.…

February 17, 2018

‘Riverdale’ Shows That Teen Dramas Can Shed Light on Social Issues Too

Karen Guan, Southern Methodist University

Unlike most teen dramas, 'Riverdale' doesn't hesitate to dive into complicated social issues.…

October 26, 2017

5 Young Adult Books That Get Mental Illness Right

Marissa Cortes, Stony Brook University

The nuances of mental health can be hard to nail in fiction, but these novels do it perfectly.…

October 21, 2017

A Voice for the Voiceless Issue of Mental Illness

Valeria Garcia, University of Texas at Austin

Iowa State University's Leah Beman has a tireless journey to bring awareness to mental health.…

October 17, 2017

Mental Illness in the Elderly: An Unrecognized Problem

Maahfio Otchere, Villanova University

Seventeen older adults commit suicide every day for one hidden reason: The ignorance towards elders with mental illnesses.…

October 12, 2017

The Feats and Flaws of USA’s TV Series ‘Mr. Robot’

Why, if You’re Not Already, You Should Be Watching ‘Mr. Robot’

Ben Zhang, Duke University

Any show that both hackers and transgender advocates can get behind is worth checking out.…

April 30, 2017

College Masculinity and Mental Health

Terry Mooney, Ohio State University

The stigma discouraging men from discussing their mental health is especially dangerous in college.…

March 22, 2017

How Wentworth Miller Is Putting an End to the Stigma of Mental Illness

Kristian Porter, Northern Kentucky University

Miller, a recently-appointed Mental Health Ambassador, seeks to encourage fellow individuals with depression to open up about their struggles.…

November 2, 2016

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