Mental Health News and Research

Latest Mental Health News and Research

Therapy dogs provide mental health benefits for college freshmen

College students who spent a little bit of free time each week interacting with therapy dogs on campus during their first semester experienced fewer signs of stress and depression than those who did not.

13 Feb 2025

Older Americans find purpose and well-being in work, despite health barriers

Research shows older adults working past 65 experience significant health benefits and financial stability, highlighting the importance of supportive policies.

13 Feb 2025

Housing loss causes mental health struggles in children

At a time when costs are high and social safety nets appear further endangered, the experience of eviction, foreclosure, and housing loss creates a measurable and detrimental impact on families.

12 Feb 2025

Study connects loneliness and social isolation to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease risk

Loneliness and social isolation have been linked to an elevated risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers from Central South University and the Army Medical University in China, in collaboration with the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

12 Feb 2025

ChatGPT outperforms psychotherapists in therapy response ratings, study shows

When it comes to comparing responses written by psychotherapists to those written by ChatGPT,the latter are generally rated higher, according to a study published February 12, 2025, in the open-access journal PLOS Mental Health by H. Dorian Hatch, from The Ohio State University and co-founder of Hatch Data and Mental Health, and colleagues

12 Feb 2025

Globally prostate and testicular cancer rates climb, but mortality is falling

New research maps the global burden of male cancers from 1990 to 2040, showing how aging, lifestyle, and healthcare access shape the future of prostate and testicular cancer outcomes.

12 Feb 2025

Women prefer female cardiologists for better heart care

According to the U.S. Physician Workforce Data Dashboard, only about 17% of cardiologists are women, ranking as one of the lowest specialties among female physicians, yet heart disease remains the number one killer of women, accounting for one in five female deaths.

12 Feb 2025

New guidelines urge caution with ketamine use for mental health treatment

The anesthetic ketamine is being hailed as a breakthrough therapy for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorders.

11 Feb 2025

Older adults experience greater happiness and purpose after Covid-19

Older people have greater general happiness, life satisfaction and sense of purpose than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic.

11 Feb 2025

PAHO issues alert on rising risk of dengue outbreaks in the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert regarding the increased risk of dengue outbreaks in the Americas, attributed to the growing circulation of the DENV-3 serotype in several countries in the region.

11 Feb 2025

Physical activity improves sleep quality in older adults during social isolation

A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) on January 15, 2025, in Volume 17, Issue 1, titled "Association between physical activity practice and sleep quality of older people in social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and Health Guidelines and future studies for the post-COVID period: a systematic review."

11 Feb 2025

Working after 50 improves health and well-being for older adults

Having a job – whether it's working for someone else or being their own boss – gives older Americans more than just a way to earn money or get health insurance, a new poll finds.

11 Feb 2025

Study uncovers a significant presence of manic symptoms in schizophrenia patients

In a notable Genomic Press research report, researchers at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki have uncovered a significant presence of manic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSDs), offering valuable insights that could reshape treatment approaches.

11 Feb 2025

Yoga can reduce stress in both schools and workplaces

Ten years of research on yoga as a stress-reducing activity provides a clear answer: A little effort offers real health benefits.

11 Feb 2025

Mental health drives med student dropout rate

Around 1 in 5 UK medical students considers dropping out of medical school, with mental health issues a key contributor to their intention to abandon medicine, suggest the results of an observational study published in the open access journal BMJ Open.

11 Feb 2025

Perceived overweight linked to self-harm in teens

Adolescents who perceive themselves as overweight are three times more likely to consider committing self-harm compared to those who do not, regardless of whether the person is objectively overweight, according to a new study released by The University of Texas at Arlington.

11 Feb 2025

Study provides a snapshot of substantial mental health burden on nurses

A first-of-its-kind study provides a snapshot of the substantial mental health burden on nurses around the world.

10 Feb 2025

Playfulness linked to stronger resilience during COVID-19 pandemic

Adults with high levels of playfulness showed strong resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to less playful individuals, new research shows.

10 Feb 2025

Study assesses perceptions and barriers to integrated care training and practice

Integrated care – a coordinated approach that addresses patients' physical, mental and social health needs – has been shown to improve patient outcomes, reduce health care costs and address health disparities.

10 Feb 2025

Exploring how outdoor activities can help young cancer survivors

There are not many programmes designed for young people living with or surviving cancer. UiA and the Hospital of Southern Norway, in collaboration with international researchers, aim to explore how outdoor activities and time in nature can enhance health and quality of life.

10 Feb 2025