Singer/songwriter Jewel has always made her struggles with a rough childhood, homelessness, and mental health issues public. She's on a mission to create a platform that will make mental treatment and social support accessible to everyone. She partnered with psychology doctoral candidate Noah Robinson to create Innerworld, a virtual platform where people can get help free of charge while using an avatar. Jewel talks about her mental health struggles and the tools that have helped her over the years. Then, Noah Robinson explains the science behind this virtual world they've created and he expla ..read more

Many people go online to seek positive affirmations, mental health tips, and strategies for building mental strength. Unfortunately, many social media tips on improving mental health aren’t accurate, and some strategies can be downright damaging. Many slogans, mantras, and tips just aren’t correct. But these pieces of bad mental health advice can go viral if they sound catchy, get paired with some cool music, or appear in an amazing video.  Whether we’re talking about Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, the more likes, comments, and shares a piece of content has, the more likely people are to ..read more

A town in Scotland made its street lights blue, and the crime rate decreased. Casinos keep people gambling at their tables longer by making the tabletops red. Those are just a couple of fascinating examples of how color affects behavior. The colors around you can have a bigger impact on you than you might think. Colors evoke emotions. And they can affect your choices and your performance.  Companies know this, so they use color to their advantage. Everything from logos to website colors is created to cause you to feel a certain way.  The color of the walls in a store or a restaurant ..read more

Dr. Amir Levine is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Columbia University. He’s a leading researcher on the molecular processes that are unique to the developing brain. His research has uncovered findings that may lead to changes in the way mood disorders and addictions are treated in both adolescents and adults.  He’s also the co-author of a popular book called Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How It Can Help You Find and Keep Love. In it, he describes how understanding our attachments in adulthood ..read more

Elaine Fox is a cognitive psychologist and the head of the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide, Australia. She’s a leading mental health researcher who combines genetics, psychology, and neuroscience in her work. She runs the Oxford Elite Performance, a consulting group that brings cutting-edge science and psychology to those at the highest levels of sport, business, and the military. Her newest book, Switch Craft, focuses on the benefits of mental agility.  Just like we need a variety of tools in the toolbox we keep for our homes, we need a variety of tools to solve proble ..read more

There were a lot of people on social media this year discouraging others from setting a New Year resolution. Opting out of a resolution isn’t necessarily a bad idea. By mid-January, most people consider their resolutions failed. That means their intentions to hit the gym, wake up earlier, or save more money have already fallen by the wayside. So if your plan to create change this year isn't working out, you're not alone but don't give up. Here are some strategies that can help you get back on track so you can make this year amazing ..read more

A decade ago, the idea of meeting with a therapist online seemed a bit too far-fetched for many people. There were concerns about everything from privacy to credibility. But online therapy has become mainstream over the past few years. In fact, the abundance of online therapy sites and additional services being offered over the past few years has left many people feeling overwhelmed by all the choices. And it’s no wonder why. Some online therapy sites take insurance. Others offer subscription services. Some sites allow you to message a therapist throughout the day while others offer video appo ..read more

It’s called “the most wonderful time of the year,” but for many people, the holidays aren’t joy-filled. In fact, this time of year can be extra tough in many ways. The holidays can amplify existing issues, like loneliness. They create a lot of stress, including financial strain, for many people. Sprinkle in some family tension, grief, and end of the year deadlines, and it’s a recipe for higher rates of distress. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to stay mentally strong throughout the holidays. Here are 10 things you can do this year to manage your mental health and reduce your ..read more

Whether you want an extra hand moving furniture or you need professional help for depression, asking for help can be tough. It can feel scary too. We don’t want people to reject us, judge us, or feel more powerful than us.  But the sooner we ask for help and make our needs known, the sooner we can get some relief. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to make asking for help feel a little less uncomfortable. With each successful request, you might build the courage to ask for help again. And with a little help from those around you, life often becomes much more manageable and enjo ..read more

Your brain lies to you. But, it’s tough to recognize those lies sometimes.  Your brain will convince you that you messed everything up or that no one likes you. Or it will trick you into thinking it can predict the future and it’ll tell you something bad is going to happen. Whether you think you’re not smart enough to succeed or you believe that you’ll never get out of debt, your beliefs can quickly turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.  Fortunately, you don’t have to believe everything you think. In fact, you can learn to recognize how your brain tries to trick you into believing th ..read more