On January 1, Oregon legalized the adult use of Psilocybin, often called “Magic Mushrooms,” amid recent research showing tentative promise for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, end-of-life anxiety, and other mental health conditions. However, while research suggests promising results for mental health treatment, there are still concerns about the lasting side effects of Psilocybin misuse, as there is not enough data yet to measure the lasting impacts. 

Oregon’s Ballot Measure 109, passed in November 2020, allows the Oregon Health Authority to license and regulate the manufacturing, transportation, and sale of Psilocybin products and to oversee Psilocybin services. These Psilocybin service centers allow anyone over 21 to consume these mushrooms with supervision, as drug-induced episodes can last several hours. However, the recent legalization of Psilocybin Mushroom use does not extend to recreational use or retail sale. Additionally, the substance’s consumption must occur at a licensed service center with supervision. 

What Are Magic Mushrooms?

A sacred medicine in many indigenous groups, Psilocybin Mushrooms have long been used in religious and spiritual ceremonies in South America and Mesopotamia. Psilocybin Mushrooms include over 200 mushroom species that contain the psychoactive components Psilocybin and Psilocin, which produce similar effects as LSD. Individuals can take these mushrooms in multiple ways, including snorted as a powder, consumed as a pill, eaten raw or cooked, or mixed in a beverage. 

Individuals who take Psilocybin Mushrooms experience hallucinations and altered states of consciousness, which can last for several hours. However, the potency of Magic Mushrooms vary from species to species, and each individual can respond differently. This variance in outcomes can lead to serious side effects. 

Psilocybin Research Findings

Psilocybin research spans the past several decades, focusing on Magic Mushrooms treatment for mental health conditions and substance abuse. Researchers at multiple universities, including the University of New Mexico, the University of Arizona, New York University, and John Hopkins University, looked into the viability of Psilocybin treatment.

Psilocybin and other psychedelics are thought to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to change, recognize, or adapt neural networks. Substance abuse and mental health researchers are interested in this concept of Psilocybin-derived neuroplasticity as it may give patients a new perspective on their substance abuse or mental health concerns. Researchers of a small study on alcohol use disorder (AUD) found that 2 doses of Psilocybin Mushrooms led to an 83% decrease in heavy drinking. At the end of the 8-month study, nearly half of the participants had stopped drinking entirely. 

Researchers are also interested in Psilocybin-based treatment for treatment-resistant depression. Over 8 million people in the US take medication to treat depression, and a 2021 study estimates that medicine doesn’t help nearly a third of them, meaning they are “treatment-resistant.” In November, one of the most extensive studies of Psilocybin treatment found that a 25 mg dose of Psilocybin, given alongside psychotherapy, reduced depression symptoms 3 weeks after treatment. An important note for clinical Psilocybin research is that many trials include psychotherapy for individuals in conjunction with Psilocybin Mushrooms. 

The Dangers Of Psilocybin Use

Magic Mushrooms produce various short-term mental and physical effects, including a heightened sense of emotions and hallucinations. Hallucinations distort an individual’s sense of reality, time, and senses. Additional adverse mental side effects of Psilocybin use include:

• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Fear or paranoia 
• Disorientation
• Swift mood changes

Beyond mental side effects, there are multiple physical effects, including:

• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Convulsions
• Numbness (particularly in the face)
• Loss of urinary control 

While we know the short-term effects of Psilocybin Mushroom use, there are no clinical results on the long-term effects of continual Psilocybin use. However, as Magic Mushrooms receive medical attention and research, hopefully, results will follow. What is known is that continual use of Psilocybin Mushrooms can result in tolerance, where an individual will need more of the substance to feel the desired effects. Also, using Magic Mushrooms with substances like Marijuana, Amphetamines, or alcohol can elevate the risks of severe side effects.

An additional risk of Psilocybin use is a “bad trip,” which is when an individual takes a higher dose and experiences frightening imagery, paranoia, and a distorted sense of self. Impaired judgment during these “bad trips” may lead to risk-taking behavior, leading to traumatic injuries or even death. Sometimes, individuals may experience frequent or overly intense psychedelic events known as “flashbacks,” where they relive the previous experience.

Future Of Psilocybin Mushroom Treatment

In the state of Oregon, while Magic Mushroom treatment sessions are available in licensed centers, the issue of affordability is front and center. Since the federal government lists Psilocybin Mushrooms as a Schedule 1 substance with “no currently accepted medical use,” Psilocybin sessions will not be covered by insurance. One session could cost hundreds or thousands of dollars for residents. So, while Psilocybin Mushroom treatment may yield positive outcomes, if the service is unaffordable, it will bar many from pursuing this treatment.  

The future of Psilocybin Mushroom treatment is still unfolding, and more clinical research is underway to determine the viability of Magic Mushrooms as a treatment for mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUDs). 

As we await clinical research results, there are current, vetted treatment options for mental health concerns and SUDs. Treatment options can include psychotherapy, online therapy, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and additional therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT). 

The post Oregon Becomes First State To Legalize Magic Mushrooms appeared first on Addiction Center.

Athletes’ mental health has been an increasing topic of discussion over the last several years. With national champions like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka speaking out about their experiences with mental illness, the subject has been breached, facilitating conversations about personal wellness, autonomy, and national duty. What once might have been a blissful ignorance that the strongest and fastest among us were made of stronger armor, now a very real, very important discourse emerges. After the NFL’s latest incident, sports fans and leagues across the country must reconsider what it means to be well and healthy in body and mind to ensure all athletes feel safe and supported.

Buffalo Bills Player Damar Hamlin Collapses After Tackle

On Monday, January 3^rd, millions of football fans gathered to kick off the new year and watch the Cincinnati Bengals play the Buffalo Bills at the Bengals’ home stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Only minutes into the first quarter, Bills player Damar Hamlin, a safety, made what seemed to be a normal tackle until he collapsed, unconscious, mere seconds after the play; the roar of the stadium slowly fading.

Cameras panned the field, broadcasting the distress and fear visible on players’ faces while commentators struggled to find words, their networks cutting to commercial in frequent succession. After nearly ten minutes of attempting CPR, paramedics stabilized his heartbeat and rushed him off the field to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

According to officials, the 24-year-old experienced cardiac arrest, though at this time, it is indeterminable how or why. While he is making small improvements, Hamlin remains in critical condition, too soon yet to know if he’ll make a full recovery and/or return to professional football.

NFL Must Grapple With Frightened And Traumatized Players

Hamlin’s accident has caused a disruption in more than just the NFL’s schedule; given the traumatic experience of watching a healthy, young athlete be hurried off in an ambulance, players across the league are hesitant to return to normal.

Psychologist Dr. Scott Goldman, who works with a myriad of professional athletes, says the issue is difficult because everyone deals with trauma in their own way. For some, playing football might provide a distraction, a respite from the fear and anxiety, for others, the game could be triggering and unfathomable in a time of such duress. Goldman has worked closely with the NFL for the last two years and regarding Hamlin’s incident said, “I think this is going to be a really complicated thing for individuals to navigate. This is not a simple solution of suspend the season or force re-engagement.”

This event has mobilized not only players and medical professionals, but fans of the sport as well. Many believe this to be a wake-up call, a plea to re-evaluate and re-consider how and why we can encourage and support something that clearly endangers the individuals playing. An opinion piece written for The New York Times reads, “…the specter of destruction on the field, let’s face it, is part of what makes football such an American draw. That’s why the highlight shows are full of the most jarring, brutal hits.” Another references how unsettling Monday night’s incident was because nothing was out of the ordinary until all of a sudden it was. Hamlin’s collapse influenced a sort of movement driven by all those who love football and its dedicated athletes.

It spurred those tasked with ensuring the safety of the players to take another look in the mirror. It made some fans reaffirm their love for the sport and the community round it. It made others reassess their appetites for football’s inherent violence. It was a dissolution of the fourth wall that tries to keep the game, with all its corporeal risks, in the realm of entertainment.

Athletes’ Mental Health And Wellbeing Often Overlooked

Every year the NFL sees its fair share of trauma; in 2021 alone there were 387 documented injuries across the league between concussions, MCL, and ACL tears. More recently, after Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa experienced several back-to-back concussions without appropriate league-mandated support and response, the NFL has recently amended its benching policy for head hits. Due to the nature of the sport and the culture surrounding it, many players feel uncomfortable disclosing any symptoms of illness or injury; too often they’re expected to “man up” and push through it. The same can likely be said for the athletes’ mental health, especially considering the pedestals they’re placed on.

When Naomi Osaka declined to attend a press conference during the French Open in 2021 in an act of self-care and preservation, her decision was met with scrutiny and backlash. When Simone Biles withdrew from the final competition in the Tokyo Olympics to regain the connection between her mind and body, the nation exploded with remarks of her selfishness and an expectation to finish what she started. When millions of viewers and dozens of fellow players watch their comrade and friend fall to the ground from cardiac arrest, the leading issue was the re-scheduling of the game followed by ways in which policies and expectations might be amended to better care for these athletes. Too often, mental health is emphasized and flagged as a crucial pillar in a person’s wellbeing, only to be overlooked in instances where it matters most.

Professional Athletes And Substance Abuse

While athletes’ mental health is of increasing awareness and concern, so too is the rate of substance abuse in professional sports. In a study done in 2011, researchers found that around 52% of retired professional football players had reported consuming Opioids at some point during their career; approximately 71% of those players knew they were misusing the drug.

Substance abuse does not discriminate. It can affect anyone, no matter their job, position, or rank in society. Athletes are often held to unobtainable standards and spend their entire careers tirelessly proving themselves and their worth, attempting to be unrealistically indomitable. This can lead to self-medicating as an escape from the pressure of perfection or utilizing performance enhancing drugs to ensure they remain relevant and on top of their game.

Fortunately, as we continue to move forward, we learn more about the importance of full body wellness and ways in which we can support, uplift, and encourage our beloved athletes. There are organizations and resources built on the foundation that athletes are human too and with humanity comes hardship, a common occurrence that binds us all.

The post NFL Player’s Collapse Sparks Concern For Athletes’ Mental Health appeared first on Addiction Center.

Social media is, in theory, a fantastic way to stay up to date with long distance family and friends, discover new places to explore, or learn tips that make daily tasks easier. With increasingly more presence, accessibility, and utilization, it’s nearly necessary if we wish to remain connected to the world around us. What happens though, when this overwhelmingly powerful  platform lands in the wrong hands, those that are young, impressionable, and susceptible to the dangers held beneath the surface?

In the culture of today, you’d be hard-pressed to find a significant amount of people, especially young people, “unplugged.” With a swipe of a screen or a press of a button, the worldwide web lights up our devices, providing access to all we could possibly hope to learn—and even more we wouldn’t.

The Monolith Menace

In August of 2020 14-year-old Englyn Roberts died by suicide. Her parents, Toney and Brandy, told Sharyn Alfonsi, host of CBS News’ 60 Minutes, they had no idea that the bright and sunny baby of the family, was struggling with depression and thoughts of suicide. It was only after they searched through her phone that they found a simulation video of a woman demonstrating how to hang oneself. A video that according to Brandy, was still circulating online roughly a year and a half after her daughter’s death and was only taken down in December of 2021.

Alexis Spence, now 20, developed depression and an eating disorder at age 12 after Instagram algorithms led her to pro-anorexia accounts from an innocent search for exercise tips. Her parents had given her the phone to communicate with them after school and middle school teachers themselves, had taken precautions by setting up age restrictions and a schedule in which young Alexis was allowed to use her smart phone. In the same 60 Minutes segment, aired earlier this week, Alexis told Alfonsi that she learned “pretty quickly” how to sneak phone use and override the parental controls which ultimately contributed to a downward spiral into dangerous waters.

These stories are just two of the more than 1,200 families pressing charges against big social media companies such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Roblox, and Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. According to 60 Minutes, over 150 cases will be moving forward after the start of the new year. All of the companies contacted for the story declined comment.

Evidence That Companies Know Their Influence And Impact On Youth

Last fall, previous Facebook data scientist, Frances Haugen testified in front of a Senate subcommittee that the major social media company actively “…harms children, sows division and undermines democracy in pursuit of breakneck growth and ‘astronomical profits.” A Facebook employee for nearly two years, Haugen’s job was to research how foreign adversaries utilized misinformation that was promoted through the company’s algorithms. Hardly the first ex-employee to blow the whistle on the tech giant, Haugen’s testimony was backed by dozens of research documents she’d copied before she left; accurately coined “The Facebook Files,” these papers proved that Facebook “…intentionally hides vital information from the public, from the US government, and from governments around the world.”

Executives of the company such as Monika Bickert and Mark Zuckerberg himself released statements that the information Haugen provided was taken out of context. The leaked research, however, shows otherwise. In one survey, 13.5% of teenage girls in the UK and 6% in America responded that their suicidal thoughts increased after using Instagram. Another found that roughly 32% of teen girls (presumably globally), or 1 in 3, experienced increased negative body image issues after scrolling through the photo-sharing platform.

According to the Wall Street Journal, over 40% of Instagram’s users are 22 years old and younger with approximately 22 million teenagers logging in each day, placing the app in a high profile, incredibly influential position for young people around the world.

Social Media Victims Center: The Attorney Taking On Social Media Giants

After reading the Facebook Files, attorney Matt Bergman, a product liability lawyer, started the Social Media Victims Center to aid and support families suffering at the hands of social media companies’ negligence. Representing the Spence and Roberts family, as well as the hundreds of other families pressing charges, Bergman told Alfonsi, “Time and time again, when they have an opportunity to choose between safety of our kids and profits, they always choose profits…I’m all for parental responsibility. But these products are explicitly designed to evade parental authority.”

Sometime next year Bergman and his team will begin the process for a federal case against Meta and others. This multi-million-dollar lawsuit, he says, is about more than just the money, but a plea for policy change. At this time, he outlines a three-pronged approach that addresses the lackadaisical, easily evaded age verification, the harmful and unnecessary algorithms, and a better way of ensuring that parents are informed. “Let’s be realistic, you’re never gonna have social media platforms be 100% safe. But, you know, these changes would make them safer.”

Social Media Addiction? Get The Help You Need

Despite it not being listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), research shows a strong correlation between social media use and signs/symptoms of other addictive behaviors. Because it is largely the way of the world and a huge form of communication these days, daily social media use might be normal or expected. Trouble arises when the scrolling and thoughts of the scrolling become excessive and consuming. Add in the influx of influencers and edited material designed to gain traction and attention and it’s no wonder teens in particular experience severe mental health consequences.

If you or someone you love is exhibiting signs of a social media addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are resources available to assist you. Learn about online therapy and how it can be used to treat social media addiction, from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

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Following the release of her new album, Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion announced her new mental health website, Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too. The title, attention-grabbing in its own right, comes from the chorus of “Anxiety,” a catchy tune about the frustration of living with mental illness.

In an interview with Apple Music, the artist spoke about how writing this album was the first time she allowed herself to be vulnerable during the creation process. “Usually when I write songs, like, I could be sad and I’ll write a song like ‘Body.’” Chuckling, Stallion continued, “I don’t write songs about how I feel, I write songs about how I wanna feel.” She explains that writing the songs on Traumazine was the first time she figured out how to actually say what she wanted to; she found space to let her guard down and express authenticity, “I wanted to take control of my narrative, take control of my own story, tell it my own way…tell it from me.”

Celebrities Speak Out About Mental Health

Megan Thee Stallion is hardly the first celebrity to speak openly about her experiences with mental health; roughly a month ago Jonah Hill stated that he will no longer be participating in any media events to preserve his mental wellbeing. From actors to athletes, more and more stars are advocating for mental wellness and general destigmatization. Some, like Stallion, are taking matters into their own hands and creating websites, apps, or general forums where people can both gather in community as well obtain helpful information on how to maintain a healthy mind.

Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too compiles various mental health resources, many that address the particularly unique struggles of specific groups like the LGBTQ community or Black women. On average, people of color are 28% to 60% less likely to receive treatment than their White counterparts. Featuring organizations like Therapy for Black Girls, Black Emotional & Mental Health Collective, Stronghearts Native Helpline and many more, Stallion’s website is notably beneficial in providing information to fans and listeners of all backgrounds, but particularly those historically under-serviced.

Stars With Mental Health Platforms

Selena Gomez, Mandy Teefy, And Daniella Pierson’s Wondermind

First announced in late 2021, Wondermind is a startup company founded by mother-daughter duo Selena Gomez and Mandy Teefy and entrepreneur Daniella Pierson. The basic idea of the project is to help people practice mental fitness, emphasizing that just like every other muscle in the human body, one must dedicate time to strengthen the mind. With an aim to appeal to “everyone with feelings,” (as opposed to solely those who experience mental illness) Pierson told Forbes in an email that their goal in Wondermind’s design was to create “a sexier, more entertaining competitor to Psychology Today, WebMD, etc. for the millions of people searching about mental health daily.” Wondermind provides resources like journal prompts, real stories, articles on everything from ‘reasons to try therapy’ to various life hacks for different conditions, as well as an option to sign up for their newsletter.

Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation

Created in memory of and named after her father, Taraji P. Henson’s Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation (BLHF) aims to “[eradicate] the stigma around mental health issues in the African-American community.” During the spring of last year, BLHF launched an awareness campaign called The Unspoken Curriculum which intended to highlight the ways in which Black students experience mental health issues in schools. Henson also co-hosts a Facebook Watch Original show with best friend, Tracie Jade, that explores Black experiences with mental health. Through personal stories, Peace of Mind aims to “bring mental health out of the shadows” and make transparent the disparity in overall mental wellness experienced in the Black community.

J Balvin’s App, OYE

Around the same time Megan Thee Stallion announced her new website, Colombian reggaeton artist J Balvin launched OYE, a bilingual app intended to provide a space for people to channel their mental struggles into creativity. Translating to “listen,” OYE can easily be switched between Spanish and English and features tools like emotional check-ins, creative wellness videos and exercises, a personal goal setting tool, and more. In a statement shared with TODAY, Balvin says he created OYE “to bring a deeper understanding of the healing powers of these creative wellness practices to the global community—for both Spanish and English speaking audiences worldwide.”

Does Celebrities’ Openness About Mental Health Actually Help Their Fans?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 1 billion people around the world live with a mental health disorder. In the United States alone, the numbers show 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness. Thanks to social media and the widespread accessibility of the internet, it’s feasible to wonder if/how celebrities’ involvement could change things for their followers. Clinical assistant professor of clinical psychology at the University of Denver, Dr. Breigh Jones-Coplin told CNN of celebrities:

They have a reach that obviously a lot of the mental health professionals in the field don’t have. Of course, that comes with a lot of pros and cons. Having the influence is one (pro), but also making sure you use that power for good to get across accurate and helpful information. People just don’t know where to start…which is what makes these platforms really useful.

For many people, it can feel invasive or uncomfortable to talk about their feelings, especially considering various cultures and often the lack of acceptance or understanding of the validity of mental wellness. Dr. Amanda J. Calhoun, Yale University psychiatry resident said, “As a Black woman, I represent less than 2% of psychiatrists (in the US). There is a lot of power in having a mental health professional who looks like you. [A]s a Black women and as a psychiatrist, I also spend a lot of time educating myself on things that are not taught in my standard psychiatric education.”

Overall, the general consensus is positive; stars who use their voice and platform to extend awareness and resources show their fans that mental wellness is just as important as physical health. However, just like any other information that is widely accessible, these websites and platforms are not meant to serve as a sole means to achieve mental soundness.

If You Are Struggling With Your Mental Health, Get Professional Help

As mental health slowly becomes less stigmatized and people—stars and laypeople alike—continue to share their experiences, it is important to remember to not self-diagnose or seek treatment/medication without the help of a professional. Resources like Bad B*****s Have Bad Days Too, Wondermind, OYE, and BLFH help us feel more connected and less alone, but should not be used to determine the state of your mental health. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental illness, help is available. Contact a therapist and get started on your wellness journey, today.

The post Megan Thee Stallion Releases A Mental Health Website appeared first on Addiction Center.

In the last few years, a growing number of celebrities have taken themselves out of the spotlight citing their mental health as their primary reason. Along with other notable stars including Tom Holland, Florence Pugh, and Shawn Mendes, actor Jonah Hill is the latest to join this growing list.

The 38-year-old 21 Jump Streep actor has stated that he will no longer be doing any public-facing events or media appearances to protect his mental health. In the same open letter, published by Deadline, Hill stated that he spent “nearly 20 years experiencing anxiety attacks,” which he said were often exacerbated by the media. Hill’s decision to take a step back from the public eye came ahead of the announcement of his new documentary, “Stutz,” which follows the actor and his therapist through candid discussions about his mental health and anxiety attacks.

“You won’t see me out there promoting this film, or any of my upcoming films,” Hill said. “If I made myself sicker by going out there and promoting it, I wouldn’t be acting true to myself or to the film.”

Jonah Hill isn’t alone in his decision to step back from the spotlight. In recent years there have been dozens of celebrities who have cited mental health concerns as their reason for turning away from the public eye.

Other Celebrities Citing Mental Health Concerns

Celebrities are often set apart from the rest of society and as a result, are often not associated with things like mental illness. However, as evidenced by Jonah Hill’s recent announcement to recede from the public eye, it’s clear that this notion is simply not true.

Living life in the constant presence of the media, paparazzi, and fans can all take a major toll on a person’s mental health. Even still, it can be hard for some celebrities to feel comfortable announcing that they are struggling with mental health. The stigma surrounding mental health is not lost on celebrities. In fact, in some instances it can be more difficult for someone with a major platform, like  Jonah Hill, to admit they are struggling, as people often see celebrities as “immune” to mental illness.

With his recent announcement to stop promoting his documentary and future films, Hill joins a fast-growing list of stars who have cited mental health as their reason for taking a step back from the spotlight.

Simone Biles

Perhaps one of the greatest Olympic gymnasts of all time, Simone Biles made headlines around the world when she announced she would be withdrawing from the 2021 Tokyo Summer Games due to mental health issues. The 24 year old, who has won seven Olympic medals, including four gold, stated she was battling the “twisties,” a mental block where competitors lose track of where they are while in midair, along with the unexpected loss of a family member during the Summer Games.

Naomi Osaka

Since her debut as a professional tennis player at just 15 years old, tennis star Naomi Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles and been ranked by the Women’s Tennis Association as the top player in the world. However, the 24-year-old has stated that she has long grappled with anxiety and depression, which have both affected her ability to carry out work obligations like participating in press conferences with the media. In 2021, Osaka withdrew from the French Open to prioritize her mental health and drew widespread backlash from the media.

“There can be moments for any of us where we are dealing with issues behind the scenes,” Osaka wrote in an article for Time Magazine. “Each of us as humans is going through something on some level.”

Chloe Kim

Soon after repeating gold in the halfpipe competition at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, snowboarder Chloe Kim announced that she would be “taking a break” from competing to focus on her mental health. The six-time X Games gold medalist said that her decision to take a step back wasn’t easy, but said it was imperative to ensure that come the 2026 games, the sight of snow “doesn’t make [me] scream.”

“It’s just knowing that it could get overwhelming if I just went right back into it into another season,” Kim explained. “I’m just basically being a little cautious. I’m just putting myself first and just knowing that I can’t handle it right now. I’m taking some time off. I’m going on vacation. It will be good.”

Tom Holland

Actor Tom Holland recently shared a video on his Instagram profile announcing he would be “taking a break” from social media” to safeguard his mental health. The 26-year-old actor, best known for his role as Marvel’s Spider-Man, said that social media had caused his mental health to severely decline.

“I find Instagram and Twitter to be overstimulating, to be overwhelming,” said Holland. “I get caught up and I spiral when I read things about me online and ultimately, it’s very detrimental to my mental state. So, I decided to take a step back and delete the app.”

Serena Williams

Another of tennis’ greatest players, Serena Williams, recently announced in August that she would be putting down her racket and focusing on “other priorities,” saying that the key to maintaining her mental health was to set boundaries and take time for herself.

“Mental fitness for me is just really learning to shut down,” Williams said in a recent interview. “Subconsciously, it was something I’ve always done. And so now that I know that it’s so important to just put yourself first, especially mentally, I always have shut-down moments. I have serious boundaries and I don’t let anyone cross those boundaries.”

The Importance Of Speaking Out About Mental Health

While it can often be easy to look at celebrities as being “better than” or “above” mental illness, it’s important to note that they are just as susceptible as anyone. Furthermore, the stigma that surrounds mental illness is not lost on celebrities and can present the same barriers for them to come forward as for anyone else.

The platforms that Jonah Hill and others have can be useful tools to help shed light on mental illness and can help destigmatize conditions like depression and anxiety. At the end of the day, when celebrities speak out, people listen. The more mental illness and the importance of mental health are in the media, the more the stigma surrounding them can be addressed.

“I usually cringe at letters or statements like this,” Hill confessed in a recent interview with The Guardian. “But I understand that I am of the privileged few who can afford to take time off.”

He continued: “I won’t lose my job while working on my anxiety. With this letter and with “Stutz,” I’m hoping to make it more normal for people to talk and act on this stuff, so they can take steps towards feeling better and so that the people in their lives might understand their issues more clearly.”

Finding Treatment For Mental Illness

Mental illness can be debilitating, and for many can be so burdensome that it makes everyday life feel impossible. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to help those struggling with their mental health. If you or someone you know is looking for help with mental illness, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Get in touch with a therapist today.

The post Jonah Hill Addresses Mental Health appeared first on Addiction Center.

This past Mother’s Day, the US Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) launched the Maternal Mental Health Hotline: a free, confidential hotline for new and expectant mothers experiencing mental health challenges. With 1 in 7 women experiencing postpartum depression after birth and nearly 50% of pregnant women experiencing feelings of anxiety, there is an increasing need for mental health resources for mothers. The mental health hotline connects mothers or their loved ones with trauma-informed and culturally sensitive counselors who can provide emotional support or referrals to community-based and telehealth providers. Individuals can call or text the hotline at 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746). 

Today, we are creating a safe space for expecting and new moms who are experiencing maternal depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns to have confidential conversations and get the support they need.

The federal government funded the hotline through the HRSA with an initial investment of $3 million. According to President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget, this investment will double, allowing the HRSA to hire more counselors for the hotline and increase capacity. 

Services Provided By The Maternal Mental Health Hotline

Available 24/7, 365 days a year, the hotline provides counseling services, brief interventions, and additional resources in Spanish and English, and it offers additional interpreter services in 60 languages. When an individual calls or texts the hotline number, a response from a trained counselor will be available in a few minutes. Hotline counselors available through the Maternal Mental Health Hotline includes:

• Licensed mental health clinicians
• Nurses or doctors
• Doulas or childbirth educators
• Peer support specialists

However, this mental health hotline is not a “crisis” line; if you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

What Is Maternal Mental Health?

Maternal mental health is the expansive range of emotions that an individual experiences during and after pregnancy. The experience of pregnancy, both pre, during, and post, has long-lasting impacts on the brain and the body. Many physical and mental transformations occur during this time, and emotions like joy, excitement, anxiety, and fear fluctuate significantly during and after pregnancy. For most women, these feelings of sadness, stress, fear, and anxiety will ebb after the pregnancy, but if these feelings become more severe or persist, it may be necessary to reach out for support. 

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Up to half of new mothers experience minor depressive symptoms, and between 8% and 10% of pregnant women experience generalized anxiety disorders (GADs). However, despite the commonality of these symptoms among pregnant women, mental health conditions are not consistently screened for. The HRSA’s new hotline aims to bridge this gap and connect women to screening and treatment services for mental health conditions. 

What’s The Difference Between Baby Blues, Perinatal Depression, And Postpartum Depression?

About 80% of postpartum individuals experience what is known as the “baby blues,” or bouts of anxiety, sadness, stress, and mood swings shortly after birth. Baby blues are common after delivery because the body undergoes extreme hormonal changes. Estrogen and progesterone levels drop significantly, and oxytocin (the hormone that aids in the bonding process) surges. What separates baby blues from perinatal and postpartum depression are 2 factors: timeline and severity of symptoms. The baby blues set in quickly after birth, but it does not last longer than 2 weeks. Moreover, the symptoms of baby blues (which will vary from person to person and are subjective) should not impact one’s quality of life. If one’s feelings of distress last longer than 2 weeks and interfere with one’s quality of life, it may be perinatal or postpartum depression.

While perinatal and postpartum depression share similar symptoms, the timeline differentiates the two. Perinatal depression refers to the major depressive episodes that can occur during and up to a year after pregnancy. This type of depression is common among pregnant women (1 in 5), but it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. In fact, more than half of women go undiagnosed for perinatal depression, and at least 85% go untreated. In contrast, postpartum depression occurs after childbirth (within the first 3 months) and, without treatment, can persist for many months or years.

There Is No Shame In Reaching Out For Help

Some mothers can experience feelings of shame or guilt over their mental health challenges due to expectations that they should be overjoyed with their experience, but this is not realistic. Hormonal fluctuations, difficult birthing experiences, and limited access to a support system can leave emotional and physical wounds on new and expectant mothers. Less than 15% of women who experience mood and anxiety symptoms get connected to treatment, but the Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available to connect individuals with the help they need. Beyond this hotline, individuals can find additional resources for maternal mental health through organizations like Postpartum Support International, Mom’s Mental Health Matters, and 2020 Mom.

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Country star—and one half of the duo, The Judds—Naomi Judd, has been public and honest about her struggle with severe depression for years. On April 30 of this year, the battle ended as the music star died by suicide at age 76; she is survived by her husband of 32 years, Larry Strickland and her two daughters, actress/activist, Ashley Judd and duo partner/country singer, Wynonna Judd.

If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255 for 24/7 assistance.

Naomi Judd: An Outspoken Mental Health Advocate

According to one article written for People, Judd first began to struggle with crippling mental illness in 2012, following the wrap up of The Judd’s Last Encore tour. She had faced an empty void where long-suppressed memories of sexual abuse and other childhood traumas began to surface, causing a downward spiral into a state of depression. In an interview with Robin Roberts for Good Morning America back in 2016, with medication-induced trembling in her hands, she revealed a diagnosis that emphasized the intensity of her condition when she spoke of the vast disconnect between her public perception and her reality behind closed doors:

They see me in rhinestones, with glitter in my hair, that really is who I am. But then I would come home and not leave the house for 3 weeks, and not get out of my pajamas, and not practice normal hygiene; it was really bad…What I’ve been through is extreme; my final diagnosis was ‘severe depression: treatment resistant’ ‘cause they tried me on every single thing they had in their arsenal and I really felt like if I lived through this, I want someone to be able to see that they can survive ‘cause there’s 40 million of us out there.

Judd’s Heartfelt Thoughts In Letter Written For Mental Health Awareness Week

As if the situation was not devastating enough in light of the recent tragedy, a letter the singer wrote in 2018 during Mental Health Awareness Week has been re-shared. In this letter, she vocalizes the importance of de-stigmatizing mental illness so as to better understand suicide and the circumstances surrounding an act that for a vast majority of the population, seems unthinkable. Toward the top she writes, “As a singer who chronicled a lifetime battle with mental illness…and the recent deaths of chef Anthony Bourdain and designer Kate Spade, [it is] clear that no amount of fame or fortune can protect people from the despair that can lead some of us to take our own lives.”

Her death was publicized just 24 hours before she and daughter/duo partner Wynonna Judd were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

A Note On Mental Health And Wellness

The news of Naomi Judd’s death comes just before the month of May, Mental Health Awareness Month for nearly 70 years. To raise consciousness and share the importance of overall mental and emotional wellbeing, the nonprofit organization, Mental Health America, decides on a general theme for the month every year. This year’s theme is “Mental Health Month—Life With a Mental Illness,” encouraging those who live with varying degrees of mental illness to share what it’s really like to experience the world as they do. Professionals believe that much of the stigma surrounding mental health and the subsequent care it deserves and requires could be eradicated if more people not only had a deeper overall understanding, but also a vocabulary of language to use. Like any other illness, particularly that which is more easily seen or understood, mental conditions come with their own host of challenges, shortcomings, and general experiences. It has been proven time and time again through heartache and devastation that sometimes, often, even, our minds are our own worst enemy; that just because symptoms are not external or otherwise visible, does not mean that they are any less real, any less detrimental to the person struggling.

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Like so many others, Judd’s heartbreaking story proves the depth and despair of mental illness. In a culture that praises health and wellness, we are reminded constantly of the discrepancy between physical wellbeing and that of the mind: it is often easier to overlook those who only suffer inside themselves than it is to insist on widespread mental health support. This Mental Health Awareness Month, share personal stories and experiences, live openly and honestly, and reach out to those who are struggling under the weight of an invisible force.

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Rolling out this summer, instead of dialing 911 for assistance for a mental health crisis or emergency, individuals can call the hotline number 988. This easy-to-remember dialing code will direct callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, where trained counselors will aid callers and potentially dispatch specially trained responders if needed. The law that created this new line passed through Congress on Oct. 17, 2020, and reduced the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s 10-digit phone number to 3. However, the current Lifeline phone number, 1-800-273-8255, will remain available after 988’s debut. 

Since 2005, the current suicide lifeline has received over 20 million calls from people in distress looking for support, with nearly 2.4 million calls occurring in 2020. Federal health officials suggest that as many as 12 million more calls will come through with the hotline’s debut this summer. Currently, there are 180 crisis call centers scattered across the US. Each center is connected to community resources, hospitals, social services, and first responders. 

If the 988 crisis line is effectively resourced and promoted, it will be able to reduce healthcare spending with cost-effective, early intervention. Additionally, it will reduce the use of law enforcement, public health, and other safety resources. This reduction in spending would be accomplished by redirecting calls that would typically go to 911 to 988. The crisis line will also aid in meeting the growing needs for mental health resources and help reduce stigma toward those seeking and receiving mental healthcare. 

Why 988 Is Needed: Mental Health In America

With 1 in 5 people above the age of 12 having a mental health condition and the suicide rate in the US climbing 30% since 1999, having crisis intervention only 3 digits away can help millions access the help they need, even if that is just a listening ear. Research by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors even suggests that for 80% of callers, the emotional support provided by the lifeline will be enough. 

While rising suicide rates are troubling, according to research from Harvard University, 9 out of 10 individuals who attempt suicide will go on to live their lives. This long-term survival rate aligns with the observation that suicidal crises are often “short-lived,” even when chronic risk factors are attributed to these crises. This statistic highlights how crucial it is that individuals receive support and treatment for their mental health because the likelihood that they can continue to live fulfilling lives is high. 

When Calling 911 Causes More Harm Than Good

When 911 operators receive a call about someone experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, the first responders dispatched will likely be police officers. However, a fear that many individuals experiencing a mental health crisis face when contemplating dialing 911 is if they will go to jail or not, so much so that many choose not to make that call. In fact, over 2 million individuals with a mental illness are “booked” into the nation’s prisons and jails, according to Hannah Wesolowski, who directs policy for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Advocates for 988 hope that the hotline crisis will reduce the number of individuals who end up incarcerated by not dispatching law enforcement. 

Ranging levels of mental health training across police departments can dictate how these delicate and often tumultuous situations will go. Some individuals will be admitted to a hospital, some may end up in handcuffs, and some may end up in a worse situation. For example, the Washington Post reports that police have fatally shot more than 1,500 people with mental illness in just the past 6 years. Some communities are reevaluating who will respond to mental health emergencies to avoid these situations. For example, some cities, like Chicago, are staffing mobile crisis responders with social workers and paramedics, while others team up police officers with mental health workers.  

Mental Health Crisis Versus Mental Health Emergency

A mental health crisis includes any non-life-threatening situation where an individual may display signs of erratic or unusual behavior, emotional instability, or thoughts of suicide or harming others. Additional examples of a mental health crisis include but are not limited to:

• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Talking about threatening behavior
• Self-injury, but not needing immediate medical attention
• Emotionally distraught, very depressed, angry, or anxious

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In contrast, a mental health emergency involves a potentially life-threatening situation where an individual may be severely disoriented, actively harming themselves or others, or unable to function or care for themselves. Additional examples of a mental health emergency include:

• Acting on a suicide threat
• Homicidal or threatening behavior
• Severely impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Highly erratic or unusual behavior

Funding For 988

In December, the Department of Health and Human Services committed nearly $300 million to revamp and expand resources for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and its local call centers. Additional funding for the crisis call centers and the crisis intervention teams responding to mental health emergencies and crises reported to 988 is to be determined by states and cities. When Congress passed the 988 legislation, states were given the authority to implement a “988 fee,” similar to the current 911 fee, which adds a fee onto people’s cell phone bills to cover these services. This current fee equates to about a dollar every month to support 911 services. In 2018, the fees for 911 generated over $2.5 billion to support the crisis service, so many advocates and health care officials are hopeful that 988 can acquire similar investments for the hotline crisis. However, as it stands, only 4 states have passed similar legislation for 988 funding, so it is still to be determined how the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will acquire funding to implement its services. 

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Avicii, born Tim Bergling, was a popular DJ, songwriter, and producer from Sweden. With chart topping songs like “Levels” and “Wake Me Up”, Avicii’s music was genre re-defining. Despite the quick success Avicii experienced, the artist’s lifelong struggles with anxiety and addiction led to his death by suicide in 2018.

A recently released biography, written by Mans Mosesson, details how mental health concerns and addiction were present in the life of the Grammy nominated musician. For Moseeson’s Tim – The Official Biography Of Avicii, the author was granted access to Avicii’s personal journals. These journal entries reveal the extent at which the DJ was struggling during the years leading up to his death. 

Avicii’s Early Substance Use And Dissociation

Avicii was in high school when he smoked Marijuana for the first time. This experience caused an episode of paranoia for Bergling which resulted in feelings of derealization. He began to no longer feel connected to the world around him. In this state, Avicii confessed his substance use to his parents and expressed concern that the Marijuana had triggered a psychosis. They took him to a child psychologist who eased their worries. 

What Avicii was likely experiencing after first using Marijuana was a period of dissociation. This can be defined as a disconnect between a person’s memories, feelings, behaviors, perceptions, or sense of self. While dissociation is often mild, it can also become a disorder which can interfere with an individual’s daily life. Studies have shown that derealization can occur after an individual has used Marijuana, not as a cause of use but rather can be triggered by the substance. These feelings can present themselves after using for the first time or after extended, repeated use. 

Lifelong Struggles With Anxiety

Disassociation can also accompany the majority of psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Avicii, who has often been described as a shy person, struggled with both of these conditions throughout his life. As a teen, he was self-conscious of his appearance, specifically his nose and acne. 

Fame, success, and the DJ lifestyle only heightened Avicii’s anxiety and substance use. Being recognized by fans in public, performance nerves, and a grueling tour schedule caused him to turn to alcohol as a coping mechanism. 

“It feels like I’m going to faint every single day now. And not just today and this tour but from about the first time I mentioned that I felt worn-out. Pretty regularly but I push it back down and choose not to bring it up because there’s nothing I can do about it,” he told his manager in 2011.  

Health Issues Caused By Avicii’s Substance Use

In 2012, at age 22, Avicii was admitted to the hospital with extreme stomach pains. It was determined that he was experiencing acute pancreatitis due to excessive alcohol use. Doctors instructed him to heal his stomach’s inflammation by avoiding junk food and staying sober for at least 6 months. During his hospital stay, he was also prescribed Oxycodone, an Opioid, to deal with the pain.   

Once back on tour, Avicii added pill popping to his old habits of poor eating, drinking, and not sleeping. In the journal entries featured in Mosesson’s book, he wrote, “Of course, I didn’t listen to the majority of doctors. I listened to the couple who said it would be okay if I was careful. I was ignorant and naive and touring the world, still on the never-ending tour because once you’ve circled it once, guess what? You start right back over again.” 

When stomach pains returned in 2013, doctors recommended that Avicii have his gallbladder removed. He opted to not have the procedure done until he had more free time in his schedule. The following year, his appendix ruptured and his gallbladder was removed. Both hospital stays resulted in more painkillers being prescribed. 

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An Intervention In Ibiza

Following his cycle of hospital visits, those closest to Avicii began to notice his behavior changing. He was often irritable and acted erratically. In 2014, his parents tried to help him with his Opioid addiction. He resisted their help and flew to Los Angeles where a personal doctor would write him prescriptions whenever he wanted. 

After two incidences of needing his stomach pumped from a mix of pills and alcohol, his friends and family staged an intervention. This intervention took place in Ibiza where Avicii was performing a few shows. He agreed to enter a tranquil and pricey treatment program on the Spanish island. It was during this 1 month of intensive, inpatient rehab, that Avicii came to understand that his addiction was a coping mechanism for his mental health struggles. 

“It needed to be explained to me very logically and caveman-esque for me to truly understand its nature and how it was harming me. Ouch, pain. Why me pain now? Uncomfortable feeling. Future Time deal with pain. Future deal with pain better than present Tim because already there’s too many present pains more urgent to deal with,” he wrote in his journals during the Ibiza treatment program. 

Avicii’s Life After Rehab

Once he completed his month in rehab, Avicii seemed to have a new outlook on life. He was meditating regularly, reading about the collective unconscious, and got a puppy. After not performing for a long period of time, he returned to the stage in 2016 at Miami’s Ultra Music Festival. It was announced a few days after this gig that he would not be performing live anymore. Avicii chose to not perform so that he could focus on bettering his mental health. 

Despite appearing to have new-found stability, Avicii still struggled to deal with his mental health issues. While continuing to suppress the anxiety and depression that he frequently felt, Avicii also started to become disinterested in his music career. During this time, he was smoking and drinking on occasion which may have resulted in a resurgence of his disassociation feelings. 

He told Tereza Kacerova, his girlfriend at the time, “What if everyone around me is just a projection in my mind? Sometimes I just think these things. About how nothing really matters.” 

Avicii started to focus heavily on meditation which he found to be helpful in clearing the “nonsense” from his mind. He believed that a deep form of meditation taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a way to exercise his brain which he had decided would lead to his happiness. Despite this form of meditation typically being done in 20 minute increments, Avicii would sometimes spend full days meditating in an attempt to reach enlightenment faster. 

While on a trip to Muscat, Oman, one of Avicii’s friends called his father to express concerns for the DJ’s well-being. The friend described Avicii’s intense meditation and shared that he was refusing to eat, speak, or take shade from the sun. Just one day later, on April 20th, 2018, Avicii took his own life. Avicii was 28 years old. 

Addiction And Suicide

For Americans at all ages, suicide is among one of the leading causes of death. Those, like Avicii, who struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), are at a higher risk for death by suicide. In fact, those who drink heavily are 5 times more likely to die by suicide than those who drink socially. Over the past few years, suicides related to Opioid addiction have nearly doubled. 

It is common for those at risk for suicide to struggle with addiction and other mental health risk factors like depression, anxiety, chronic illness, and a history of abuse. With drugs and alcohol being able to worsen these conditions while increasing aggressive behavior and lowering inhibitions, suicidal thoughts can occur. 

It is important to be able to recognize behavioral changes that might indicate a loved one may be suicidal. Behavioral signs include: 

• Admitting to feeling trapped, hopeless, or having no purpose in life 
• Isolating oneself 
• Oversleeping or trouble sleeping 
• Struggling to control anger 
• Physically harming oneself 

Relapsing can also be an indicator that an individual is having suicidal thoughts.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to you for free, all hours of the day and night, at 1-800-273-8255.

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