Unmasking as a Late-Diagnosed Autistic Person MHA Admin Fri, 04/12/2024 - 16:15 April 15, 2024 by Kristen Abell, MHA Director of Website and Digital Projects As someone who wasn’t diagnosed with autism until her mid-40s, I often struggle with what it means for me to unmask. What if people don’t like who I am without masking? How even am I masking? These are just a few of the questions that someone who is a late-diagnosed autistic person must battle with when determining whether or not to unmask. What is masking? Masking is when an autistic person alters or camouflages their behavior to bette ..read more

Interview: Editor Lauri Hornik and Mental Health America show young people “Where to Start” their mental health journey in new book MHA Admin Fri, 04/05/2024 - 09:38 Photo of Lauri Hornik by Annabel Braithwaite April 09, 2024 by Edward Schmit, MHA VP of Digital Marketing Editor and publisher Lauri Hornik went looking for a mental health book that didn’t exist. Something that was relatable, free of the usual jargon, and could help young people with lots of questions safely navigate their mental health. Something that could show them “where to start.” When Lauri couldn’t find a book quite like ..read more

Accepting my bipolar brain MHA Admin Fri, 03/29/2024 - 12:36 March 29, 2024 by B. Burke, MHA Public Education Content Manager My life was spinning out of control, and I barely noticed. I had just returned from a 3-mile run and was now lying face down on the floor of my bedroom. I felt completely immobile, mentally and physically. I suddenly had no motivation to do anything. My brain started saying things like "nothing matters" and "what's the point of it all?" I stared into space until I finally had an ounce of motivation to get up and go to the bathroom. About an hour later, an idea came to ..read more

How young people on the front lines of mental health are making a difference (and what you can do to help!) MHA Admin Mon, 03/25/2024 - 12:59 March 25, 2024 by Makalynn Powell, Peer and Youth Policy Fellow When I think of youth in the U.S., my first thought isn’t typically of young people using their voices to advocate for mental health accessibility and systematic reform. Thanks to the members of Mental Health America’s Youth Policy Accelerator (YPA), I’ve learned that young people are not only aware of the current challenges in mental health care but have also come up with real solutions ..read more

Preventing, not perpetuating, eating disorders in the doctor’s office MHA Admin Fri, 02/23/2024 - 11:49 February 26, 2024 by Lisa Radzak, executive director, WithAll Content warning: Eating disorders, disordered eating. Imagine yourself as a 12-year-old girl – Your reflection is changing; you look different than just months ago. Your body is preparing you for puberty, but all you see is a new number on the scale. Messages from all around threaten how you perceive these changes. What makes you you, others are saying, needs to be changed. No one asked what size and shape you wanted your body t ..read more

Navigating student mental health challenges and opportunities at HBCUs MHA Admin Fri, 02/16/2024 - 15:50 February 20, 2024 by Chayil Bullock-Mariscal Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) stand as beacons of empowerment and academic excellence within the African American community. Beyond academics, these institutions cultivate a feeling of inclusion, cultural pride, and support from a community of individuals that not only resemble you, but sincerely want to see each student succeed. Like any institution, HBCUs face unique challenges when it comes to supporting student mental ..read more

Guest blog: How Hip Hop Therapy is reshaping mental health care MHA Admin Wed, 02/14/2024 - 15:29 February 16, 2024 by Khafre Jay This blog was adapted from a longer article.  Amidst a backdrop of cultural shifts and persistent mental health crises, a new form of therapy emerges, combining the raw power of Hip Hop with traditional healing practices. This innovative therapeutic approach, known as Hip Hop therapy, isn't just a fringe concept; it's a burgeoning practice that's reshaping how we view mental health care, particularly for those who've felt alienated by traditional methods. The ..read more

5 types of love we don't talk about enough MHA Admin Tue, 02/06/2024 - 15:44 February 07, 2024 by Niya McCray-Brown, Director of Community Engagement “Love” is one of the most difficult words to define. Human beings often think about this essential experience by narrowing their focus to love’s attributes.  Is “love” a simple feeling or a complex discipline?  Does “love” show up as grand gestures or subtle, intimate moments?  Is “love” felt most when given or received?  Our experiences of love play a major role in our mental health and wellness. Thinking about love is na ..read more

Guest blog: Does shame serve a purpose? MHA Admin Mon, 02/05/2024 - 10:04 February 06, 2024 by Lexie Manion Some of us feel ashamed for losing a relationship or not meeting a specific goal we set out for – which is particularly acute in the New Year when there is pressure to start over, as if we were lacking or inferior before. It can be a dark place to exist. We seem to forget that our worth is constant and not based on real or perceived failures. To me, shame is the feeling of guilt magnified. Feeling ashamed, or shame, is commonly associated with “guilt,” which is defined as “a feeling ..read more

The role of policy in driving peer-to-peer mental health support MHA Admin Tue, 01/30/2024 - 15:28 January 31, 2024 by Saiarchana Darira How can policy be used as a tool to help people feel less alone in the world?  When COVID-19 broke out in 2020, I felt deeply alone and isolated from society due to social distancing. Peer support helped me cope with the events that were unfolding in the world, and the support I received inspired my mental health advocacy journey – creating mindfulness initiatives to support others who were struggling with their mental health.  I am currently stud ..read more