Mental Health

Political Columnist Ron Fournier Talks New Book 'Love That Boy'

10:39am April 16, 2016

Tyler Fournier has Asperger's. His dad, Ron Fournier, columnist for The Atlantic and National Journal, tells NPR's Scott Simon about what he's learned from his son and his new book, "Love That Boy."

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A woman speaks at a support group for residents of a community in Bong County, Liberia, who are suffering the psychological aftermath of the Ebola crisis. International Medical Corps set up the group to complement the medical services it has offered to pa

A Son In Chains. A Depressed Mom. Here's What Helped

7:44pm April 15, 2016

by Nurith Aizenman

Two real-life stories show why funding for mental health care is critical — in every country.

When Amanda Lipp had an episode of psychosis, her mom, Pam, struggled to find an open bed in a California hospital.

A Dearth Of Psychiatric Hospital Beds For California Patients In Crisis

1:20pm April 14, 2016

by Jenny Gold

The state is facing a serious shortage. Making matters worse, there's no system in place to help people find a scarce bed in an emergency.

That out-of-body experience is happening in your brain.

How LSD Makes Your Brain One With The Universe

12:14pm April 13, 2016

by Angus Chen

Researchers are starting to look at the therapeutic possibilities of psychedelic drugs. A sensation that the self is merging with the world could be due to changes in brain connections, a study says.

Study: Mental Illness Is As Much Of A Global Threat As Infectious Diseases

7:43am April 13, 2016

Research shows that depression and anxiety cost the world economy $1 trillion every year. Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. Shekhar Saxena of the World Health Organization about efforts to improve treatment.

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Health & Safety

Even With Insurance Parity Rules, Counseling May Count As Specialty Care

3:00pm April 12, 2016

by Michelle Andrews

Federal law requires most insurers to provide parity between mental health and medical benefits, but that doesn't necessarily mean that regular counseling will come with a low copayment.

Jena Lopez with her daughters Sophie, left, and Nora. Research suggests that parental support is the key to good mental health in children who transition.

Parent Support May Help Transgender Children's Mental Health

6:26pm April 11, 2016

by Gabriel Spitzer

Transgender people tend to have more mental health problems than the general population, but having supportive parents in childhood may help reduce that risk, a study finds.

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The isolated Cree community of Attawapiskat — shown several years ago, in a photo by the Toronto Star — struggled all winter with a high rate of suicide attempts.

Canadian First Nation Declares State Of Emergency Over Suicide Attempts

10:59am April 11, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The isolated Attawapiskat community is home to about 2,000 people. In March, there were 28 suicide attempts — and on Saturday night alone, 11 people tried to kill themselves, the CBC reports.

Seven years ago, Johns Hopkins Hospital collaborated with Baltimore's Safe Streets program to bring violence prevention workers into the hospital to meet with the injured and settle conflicts. Now, the health department in Baltimore is trying to revive th

Baltimore Sees Hospitals As Key To Breaking A Cycle Of Violence

6:35pm April 08, 2016

by Andrea Hsu

The city's health department wants to send ex-offenders who are trained to be "violence interrupters" to hospitals to talk with victims. Chicago has found such a program prevents repeat injuries.

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Steve Julian, a radio host with KPCC in Los Angeles, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer last November. He and his wife, Felicia Friesema, turned to social media for solace, support and the space to process their heartbreaking journey.

Online Comfort For Real-World Cancer Can Be Surprisingly Sweet

10:10am April 08, 2016

Steve Julian is a morning anchor for KPCC-FM in Los Angeles, a playwright and a former cop. His communities are legion, and all cared deeply when he got his terminal diagnosis. How best to reach out?