Mental Health Matters

Stress

Navigating Political Differences Can Be Daunting

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on May 1, 2025

It is tempting to ignore the people we don’t agree with, but maybe we should learn how to negotiate with them instead.

It is tempting to ignore the people we don’t agree with, but maybe we should learn how to negotiate with them instead.

Loneliness

Being Alone and Feeling Lonely Are Not the Same Thing

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on March 31, 2025

I’m “so lonesome I could cry” is a compelling song lyric. Putting effort into building social connections is a better way to make friends.

I’m “so lonesome I could cry” is a compelling song lyric. Putting effort into building social connections is a better way to make friends.

Stress

Well-Being: Be Your Own Superhero

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on February 28, 2025

Americans value self-reliance. But our collective mental health might improve if we added more self-care and self-compassion to the mix.

Americans value self-reliance. But our collective mental health might improve if we added more self-care and self-compassion to the mix.

Empathy

Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes Can Cause Blisters. Try It Anyway.

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on January 25, 2025

Personal Perspective: Liar, liar, pants on fire? Let’s see if talking reduces the ire!

Personal Perspective: Liar, liar, pants on fire? Let’s see if talking reduces the ire!

Relationships

Maybe What We Need to Share With Each Other Is Compassion

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on December 27, 2024

When we tell someone to take care, we mean well. But what if we shared the care instead?

When we tell someone to take care, we mean well. But what if we shared the care instead?

Resilience

Election, or the End of Life as We Know It?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on November 2, 2024

Many of us are finding the wait for the end of the 2024 elections excruciating, but we need to focus on how to move forward regardless of the outcome.

Many of us are finding the wait for the end of the 2024 elections excruciating, but we need to focus on how to move forward regardless of the outcome.

Media

Media Literacy as Preventive Mental Health Care

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on October 28, 2024

Are you overwhelmed by trying to keep up with the news these days? Media literacy can help.

Are you overwhelmed by trying to keep up with the news these days? Media literacy can help.

Locus of Control

Control Means Different Things to Different People

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on September 30, 2024

Struggling to understand someone else’s political beliefs? Try thinking about their locus of control.

Struggling to understand someone else’s political beliefs? Try thinking about their locus of control.

Mirror Neurons

Does Your Life Feel Out of Balance?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on August 5, 2024

Maybe we can rebalance our lives by watching a little gymnastics.

Maybe we can rebalance our lives by watching a little gymnastics.

Aging

Facing and Feeling Your Age

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on July 29, 2024

Age isn’t just a number. It’s both a reality and a feeling.

Age isn’t just a number. It’s both a reality and a feeling.

Therapy

Mental Illness Is an Explanation for Distress, Not Inaction

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on July 8, 2024

Talking about mental illness is a start. But we won’t be done until we do something about it.

Talking about mental illness is a start. But we won’t be done until we do something about it.

Depression

Are Depression and Anxiety the Latest Canary in a Coal Mine?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on June 19, 2024

Rates of anxiety and depression are on the rise. Why talking about it is the solution, not the problem.

Rates of anxiety and depression are on the rise. Why talking about it is the solution, not the problem.

Diet

Why We Need to Stop Equating Thinness with Health

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on May 12, 2024

Weighing the evidence: Assessing the relationship between body weight and health.

Weighing the evidence: Assessing the relationship between body weight and health.

Neuroscience

The Upcoming Solar Eclipse Is a Natural Wonder

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on April 2, 2024

An eclipse is a rare and fascinating event. But as far as our brains are concerned, it is business as usual.

An eclipse is a rare and fascinating event. But as far as our brains are concerned, it is business as usual.

Stress

Coping With Reality Is Hard, Making It Look Easy Is Harder

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on March 18, 2024

Pretending to be perfect is a royal pain. Maybe Kate Middleton just needs a mental health break.

Pretending to be perfect is a royal pain. Maybe Kate Middleton just needs a mental health break.

Personal Perspectives

Insurance Companies Are Using AI to Process Medical Claims

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on March 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: There are a lot of things computers don't do as well as humans. Reviewing medical insurance claims may well be one of them.

Personal Perspective: There are a lot of things computers don't do as well as humans. Reviewing medical insurance claims may well be one of them.

Health

Blurring the Line Between Work and Sick Time

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on February 28, 2024

Have you jumped on a Zoom call despite feeling ill? Why merging work and sick time is hurting our health.

Have you jumped on a Zoom call despite feeling ill? Why merging work and sick time is hurting our health.

Consumer Behavior

Do You Equate Security With Material Belongings?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on January 27, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Our personal skills and social connections are just as crucial as material belongings.

A Personal Perspective: Our personal skills and social connections are just as crucial as material belongings.

Resilience

The Dark Days of the Pandemic Are Behind Us

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

Paradoxically, hardship can teach us valuable lessons. Here's how to give the lessons we learned during the pandemic a starring role in 2024.

Paradoxically, hardship can teach us valuable lessons. Here's how to give the lessons we learned during the pandemic a starring role in 2024.

We know young people are depressed and anxious. There are things we can do about it.