Mental Health Care Today

Suicide

Do Youth Suicide Prevention Programs Work?

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on January 2, 2026

Suicide is the second or third leading cause of death for youth. Most suicidal youth are seen by professionals and referred to a prevention program. Do these programs work?

Suicide is the second or third leading cause of death for youth. Most suicidal youth are seen by professionals and referred to a prevention program. Do these programs work?

Artificial Intelligence

Are We Facing a New Dark Age for Public Health Data?

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on October 2, 2025

The quality of scientific research is facing the twin threats of AI-generated data fabrication and the loss of long-standing, trusted, public domain datasets.

The quality of scientific research is facing the twin threats of AI-generated data fabrication and the loss of long-standing, trusted, public domain datasets.

Artificial Intelligence

The Adoption of Artificial Intelligence in Clinical Care

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on June 26, 2025

Integrating AI with electronic medical records may revolutionize clinical practice.

Integrating AI with electronic medical records may revolutionize clinical practice.

Epigenetics

Childhood Trauma and Biological Aging

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on April 17, 2025

Epigenetic "clocks" measure biological age, which predicts earlier or later onset of the leading causes of death. Childhood trauma and poverty increase biological aging.

Epigenetic "clocks" measure biological age, which predicts earlier or later onset of the leading causes of death. Childhood trauma and poverty increase biological aging.

Therapy

What's Behind the Inaccessibility of Mental Health Services

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on February 26, 2025

Despite laws to improve mental health insurance, there has been little improvement. Among the reasons is the reluctance of therapists to accept insurance fees and oversight.

Despite laws to improve mental health insurance, there has been little improvement. Among the reasons is the reluctance of therapists to accept insurance fees and oversight.

Psychopharmacology

Then vs. Now: Changes in Biomedical Research Over 50 Years

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on November 17, 2024

In the last few decades, the biomedical research establishment has flipped from an academically-based enterprise to a commercial one that can stifle advancement.

In the last few decades, the biomedical research establishment has flipped from an academically-based enterprise to a commercial one that can stifle advancement.

Health

Mental Health Parity Is Not a Panacea: Lessons to Date

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on August 13, 2024

Mandating parity of health insurance coverage for mental and substance abuse disorders is a goal of many advocates. How well does it work?

Mandating parity of health insurance coverage for mental and substance abuse disorders is a goal of many advocates. How well does it work?

Mental Health Stigma

What Can Be Done About Homelessness?

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on May 20, 2024

Homelessness is at an all-time high in the United States. One recent VA initiative, using the Housing First policy approach, has reduced veteran homelessness by 55 percent.

Homelessness is at an all-time high in the United States. One recent VA initiative, using the Housing First policy approach, has reduced veteran homelessness by 55 percent.

Mass Shootings

What Are Mass Murderers’ Motives?

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on May 9, 2024

Questions about the "motivations" of mass murderers are often raised in the media. What have we learned and can it help us?

Questions about the "motivations" of mass murderers are often raised in the media. What have we learned and can it help us?

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Two-fers in Mental Health Services

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on April 22, 2024

Recent research has identified family-oriented fiscal and therapeutic interventions that produce important positive effects across two and even three generations.

Recent research has identified family-oriented fiscal and therapeutic interventions that produce important positive effects across two and even three generations.

Psychopharmacology

Why Are Medications So Expensive in the US?

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on March 11, 2024

We know that Americans pay more for a given medication than our peers in the Western World. Why is that? Many blame drug companies, but another entity, the PBM, is at work.

We know that Americans pay more for a given medication than our peers in the Western World. Why is that? Many blame drug companies, but another entity, the PBM, is at work.

Health

Doing and Undoing in Mental Health Services

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on January 2, 2024

As the federal government dramatically increases the number of eligible behavioral health providers, many states are drastically decreasing the number of eligible clients.

As the federal government dramatically increases the number of eligible behavioral health providers, many states are drastically decreasing the number of eligible clients.

Depression

The Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescent Mental Health

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on November 6, 2023

Research on the first full year of COVID-19 reveals its negative impact on adolescents' mental health and socioeconomic and demographic disparities in who received care.

Research on the first full year of COVID-19 reveals its negative impact on adolescents' mental health and socioeconomic and demographic disparities in who received care.

Health

Our Broken Mental Health Care System

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on November 6, 2023

How did we get here?

How did we get here?

Health

What Is Happening to Mental Health Care?

Judith L. Herman, M.D., and Frank W. Putnam, M.D. on August 22, 2023

Navigating and battling the ever-evolving mental health care system.

Navigating and battling the ever-evolving mental health care system.