LifeStance Insights
Our team of expert clinicians give their perspectives across a range of subjects, touching on current topics, family and loved one issues, mental health struggles and the comprehensive services that can help you live a better life.
FEATURED STORY
Social Media Warning Labels: Experts Share Their Perspectives
September 17, 2024
By: LifeStance Health
Read Time: 5 Minutes
Beginning in 2012, when social media usage by teens began to surge, so did concerns surrounding the connection between social media and the increasing mental health issues among young people. Studying this correlation in 2017, San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge sparked significant debate in the field of psychology with her alarming findings. Twenge was taken aback by the 2012 mental health data for teenagers. She predicted a looming mental health crisis, with rising rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, suggesting that smartphones and their associated social media use were the culprits. She proposed a theory: “smartphones were used by the majority of Americans around 2012, and that’s the same time loneliness increases.”
On June 17, 2024, the U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, called on Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms, similar to those now mandatory on cigarette boxes. Dr. Murthy’s warning did not come out of the blue. Last year, his office issued a rigorously researched 25-page advisory titled “Social Media and Youth Mental Health.” The takeaways from the advisory were frightening and convincing. Much of the evidence he cited concerns higher risks of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and body image issues, especially among heavy users of social media.
What makes social media danger...
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Anxiety/Stress
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Safety Plan for Suicide Ideations: Tips from Experts
Suicide Safety Plan: What It Is, Who Needs It, and Expert Insights
Suicide, which remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, is a crisis that touches millions of lives each year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 alone, 48,000 people—nearly twice the capacity of Madison Square Garden—died by suicide. In the same year, 12.3 million adults seriously considered suicide, 3.5 million made a plan to carry out suicide, and 1.7 million attempted to end their lives. Despite accounting for 50% of the population, men account for nearly 80% of suicides. The elderly, especially those aged 85 and older, have the highest suicide rates, followed by those between the ages of 75 and 84.
Amid these grim statistics, suicide prevention efforts have proven to be effective, with significant breakthroughs emerging in recent years. In 2022, a major step was taken towards suicide prevention when the national suicide helpline phone number was shortened to 988. This made a significant impact, but more can be done in suicide prevention by emphasizing the importance of a suicide safety plan.
We asked three LifeStance mental health care experts Jillian Bace, LCSW, Dr. Melissa Cobbs, PhD, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, and Corinne Melling, LMFT to explain the purpose of a suicide safety plan for s...
By LifeStance Health
Published: September 10, 2024Read Time: 9 Minutes
Safety Plan for Suicide Ideations: Tips from Experts
Suicide Safety Plan: What It Is, Who Needs It, and Expert Insights
Suicide, which remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, is a crisis that touches millions of lives each year. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021 alone, 48,000 people—nearly twice the capacity of Madison Square Garden—died by suicide. In the same year, 12.3 million adults seriously considered suicide, 3.5 million made a plan to carry out suicide, and 1.7 million attempted to end their lives. Despite accounting for 50% of the population, men account for nearly 80% of suicides. The elderly, especially those aged 85 and older, have the highest suicide rates, followed by those between the ages of 75 and 84.
Amid these grim statistics, suicide prevention efforts have proven to be effective, with significant breakthroughs emerging in recent years. In 2022, a major step was taken towards suicide prevention when the national suicide helpline phone number was shortened to 988. This made a significant impact, but more can be done in suicide prevention by emphasizing the importance of a suicide safety plan.
We asked three LifeStance mental health care experts Jillian Bace, LCSW, Dr. Melissa Cobbs, PhD, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS, and Corinne Melling, LMFT to explain the purpose of a suicide safety plan for s...
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Lifestyle/Cultural
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The Most Common Effects of Divorce on Children and How to Manage Them
The CDC reports that roughly 50% of American children will witness their parents’ divorce. According to the ‘Holmes and Rahe Stress scale’, divorce is the second most stressful life event after the death of a spouse. Divorce can be a tough journey for everyone, but it’s especially hard on children. As parents work through this life-altering change, it’s vital to equip their kids with the right support and resources to help them adjust and thrive in their new reality.
Is There Anything Parents Can Do to Minimize the Negative Effect of Divorce on Their Children?
Despite the common belief that divorce is always damaging to children, parents have the power to significantly minimize its impact. By taking proactive steps to support their children’s emotional well-being, parents can help them navigate this challenging time more smoothly.
Allow your child to have their own feelings and encourage them to share those feelings—no matter what they are.
Dr. Heath Mueller, MD
Maintaining Stability and Routine is the Key
Children going through divorce experience many emotions, Dr. Heath Mueller, MD, a LifeStance Psyc...
By LifeStance Health
Published: September 3, 2024Read Time: 9 Minutes
The Most Common Effects of Divorce on Children and How to Manage Them
The CDC reports that roughly 50% of American children will witness their parents’ divorce. According to the ‘Holmes and Rahe Stress scale’, divorce is the second most stressful life event after the death of a spouse. Divorce can be a tough journey for everyone, but it’s especially hard on children. As parents work through this life-altering change, it’s vital to equip their kids with the right support and resources to help them adjust and thrive in their new reality.
Is There Anything Parents Can Do to Minimize the Negative Effect of Divorce on Their Children?
Despite the common belief that divorce is always damaging to children, parents have the power to significantly minimize its impact. By taking proactive steps to support their children’s emotional well-being, parents can help them navigate this challenging time more smoothly.
Allow your child to have their own feelings and encourage them to share those feelings—no matter what they are.
Dr. Heath Mueller, MD
Maintaining Stability and Routine is the Key
Children going through divorce experience many emotions, Dr. Heath Mueller, MD, a LifeStance Psyc...
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Medication Management
Understanding Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato®) Treatments: Safety, Benefits, and Responsible Care From a Board-Certified Psychiatrist’s Point of View
A board-certified psychiatrist explains what ketamine therapy is, who can benefit from it, and how to administer it safely in light of the recent, tragic death of Matthew Perry.
On August 15, 2024, news broke that five individuals, including two doctors, were charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s tragic drug overdose. Among those charged were Perry’s assistant and the doctors who allegedly provided him with the ketamine that led to his accidental overdose in 2023. This incident has sparked a wave of media coverage, with many headlines questioning the safety of ketamine treatments and, in some cases, portraying ketamine as a dangerous recreational drug. Unfortunately, this type of media portrayal can contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health, making it even more challenging for those battling mental health disorders to seek the help they need.
Matthew Perry’s death was undeniably tragic, and it is crucial that those responsible are held accountable, but it is equally important to differentiate the irresponsible drug distribution and use that led to his death from the safe, responsible use of ketamine and esketamine (Spravato®) in medical treatment. The FDA has published warnings and guidance discouraging at-home use of compounded oral or injected ketamine. As a psychiatrist who has integrated ketamine and esketamine (Sprav...
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Understanding Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato®) Treatments: Safety, Benefits, and Responsible Care From a Board-Certified Psychiatrist’s Point of View
A board-certified psychiatrist explains what ketamine therapy is, who can benefit from it, and how to administer it safely in light of the recent, tragic death of Matthew Perry.
On August 15, 2024, news broke that five individuals, including two doctors, were charged in connection with actor Matthew Perry’s tragic drug overdose. Among those charged were Perry’s assistant and the doctors who allegedly provided him with the ketamine that led to his accidental overdose in 2023. This incident has sparked a wave of media coverage, with many headlines questioning the safety of ketamine treatments and, in some cases, portraying ketamine as a dangerous recreational drug. Unfortunately, this type of media portrayal can contribute to the stigma surrounding mental health, making it even more challenging for those battling mental health disorders to seek the help they need.
Matthew Perry’s death was undeniably tragic, and it is crucial that those responsible are held accountable, but it is equally important to differentiate the irresponsible drug distribution and use that led to his death from the safe, responsible use of ketamine and esketamine (Spravato®) in medical treatment. The FDA has published warnings and guidance discouraging at-home use of compounded oral or injected ketamine. As a psychiatrist who has integrated ketamine and esketamine (Sprav...
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Disordered Eating
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Reclaiming Life: A College Athlete’s 15-Year Journey to Overcome an Eating Disorder
Inside the mind of a Division I student-athlete, recovered from a 15-year-long eating disorder.
One Pound
Another bad practice. That’s three days in a row. Not good, not good.
I had plenty of bad diving practices throughout my 15-year career. “Bad” had varying degrees from I didn’t go in the water straight to I struggled implementing my coach’s changes to I got kicked out. The latter, more severe “bad,” usually meant my coach was so frustrated with me for not making changes or executing correctly that it was just better to stop. As my fellow athletes know, we’re taught to avoid cementing bad habits into muscle memory. If you do it wrong too many times, the body will remember the incorrect move more than it remembers the correct one.
During my sophomore year at Stanford University, this particular series of “bad” practices was that I wasn’t completing my dives. For instance, my back 2-1/2 somersaults (off the 3-meter springboard) were more like 2-1/4’s. I wasn’t spinning as fast as I should and just not as powerful.
My coach called me over to talk at the side of the pool deck. He looked very perplexed and asked me, “what’s going on?”
I wish I knew. I don’t want to be slow or not make my dives either.
I looked at him with an equally perplexed face but also staring down at the ground, feeling ashamed.
“Have you gained weight?” he quickly asked. I froze....
By McKenze Rogers
Published: August 1, 2024Read Time: 10 Minutes
Reclaiming Life: A College Athlete’s 15-Year Journey to Overcome an Eating Disorder
Inside the mind of a Division I student-athlete, recovered from a 15-year-long eating disorder.
One Pound
Another bad practice. That’s three days in a row. Not good, not good.
I had plenty of bad diving practices throughout my 15-year career. “Bad” had varying degrees from I didn’t go in the water straight to I struggled implementing my coach’s changes to I got kicked out. The latter, more severe “bad,” usually meant my coach was so frustrated with me for not making changes or executing correctly that it was just better to stop. As my fellow athletes know, we’re taught to avoid cementing bad habits into muscle memory. If you do it wrong too many times, the body will remember the incorrect move more than it remembers the correct one.
During my sophomore year at Stanford University, this particular series of “bad” practices was that I wasn’t completing my dives. For instance, my back 2-1/2 somersaults (off the 3-meter springboard) were more like 2-1/4’s. I wasn’t spinning as fast as I should and just not as powerful.
My coach called me over to talk at the side of the pool deck. He looked very perplexed and asked me, “what’s going on?”
I wish I knew. I don’t want to be slow or not make my dives either.
I looked at him with an equally perplexed face but also staring down at the ground, feeling ashamed.
“Have you gained weight?” he quickly asked. I froze....
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Lifestyle/Cultural
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From Stigma to Support: The Urgent Need for Men’s Mental Health Awareness
Men’s mental health is a critical issue that warrants significant attention. Men in the United States die by suicide at a rate four times higher than women, yet they are diagnosed with Depression and Mood disorders at much lower rates. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the crisis of men’s mental health. During the pandemic, U.S. men reported slightly lower rates of anxiety than women but had higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. The pandemic’s uncertainty, loneliness from social distancing, financial stresses, and relationship challenges contributed to increased rates of sleep difficulties, alcohol and substance use, and PTSD symptoms among men.
Historically, men were only allowed to express anger or sexual prowess and were expected to be strong and stoic.
-Cindy Speakman, LCSW
Consequently, in 2020, the rates of men seeking mental health care services increased more than five-fold over the prior year, surpassing the rates of women seeking such services. However, by 2021, only 40% of men with a reported mental illness received mental health care services, compared to 52% of women, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Even when men seek mental health care, it often falls short. Over 60% of men who died by suicide in Canada and the U.S. had accessed mental health services within the previous year. According to mental...
By LifeStance Health
Published: July 29, 2024Read Time: 5 Minutes
From Stigma to Support: The Urgent Need for Men’s Mental Health Awareness
Men’s mental health is a critical issue that warrants significant attention. Men in the United States die by suicide at a rate four times higher than women, yet they are diagnosed with Depression and Mood disorders at much lower rates. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the crisis of men’s mental health. During the pandemic, U.S. men reported slightly lower rates of anxiety than women but had higher rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. The pandemic’s uncertainty, loneliness from social distancing, financial stresses, and relationship challenges contributed to increased rates of sleep difficulties, alcohol and substance use, and PTSD symptoms among men.
Historically, men were only allowed to express anger or sexual prowess and were expected to be strong and stoic.
-Cindy Speakman, LCSW
Consequently, in 2020, the rates of men seeking mental health care services increased more than five-fold over the prior year, surpassing the rates of women seeking such services. However, by 2021, only 40% of men with a reported mental illness received mental health care services, compared to 52% of women, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.
Even when men seek mental health care, it often falls short. Over 60% of men who died by suicide in Canada and the U.S. had accessed mental health services within the previous year. According to mental...
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Types of Therapy
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ADHD Treatment for Kids: Effective Therapies to Improve Focus and Behavior
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is affecting approximately 1 in 9 kids between the ages of 3 and 17. This widespread diagnosis highlights the significant number of families navigating the complexities of ADHD management. Parents often find themselves overwhelmed by the plethora of treatment options available, which include both medication and non-medication therapies. The journey to find the right professional and treatment plan to support their child’s success can be daunting and time-consuming.
Ultimately, the path to finding the perfect combination of treatments and therapies is unique for each child. It requires patience, persistence, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. With the right support and resources, children with ADHD can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Therapeutic Approaches That Experts Find Effective in Treating Children with ADHD
Dr. Heath Mueller, MD, who is board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, utilizes medication, EEG neurofeedback training and outpatient behavioral therapy as her treatment options for childr...
By LifeStance Health
Published: July 25, 2024Read Time: 6 Minutes
ADHD Treatment for Kids: Effective Therapies to Improve Focus and Behavior
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is affecting approximately 1 in 9 kids between the ages of 3 and 17. This widespread diagnosis highlights the significant number of families navigating the complexities of ADHD management. Parents often find themselves overwhelmed by the plethora of treatment options available, which include both medication and non-medication therapies. The journey to find the right professional and treatment plan to support their child’s success can be daunting and time-consuming.
Ultimately, the path to finding the perfect combination of treatments and therapies is unique for each child. It requires patience, persistence, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. With the right support and resources, children with ADHD can thrive and achieve their full potential.
Therapeutic Approaches That Experts Find Effective in Treating Children with ADHD
Dr. Heath Mueller, MD, who is board certified in child and adolescent psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, utilizes medication, EEG neurofeedback training and outpatient behavioral therapy as her treatment options for childr...
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Lifestyle/Cultural
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How to Support Mental Health Wellness for Student-Athletes
Updated from previous article on May 6, 2022.
Sports, and especially team sports, have many benefits for kids and student-athletes. Studies have consistently shown that kids who participate in sports make better grades, are more likely to go to college and stay more active and healthier later in life.
Student-athletes are more likely to finish college and less likely to drop out than non-athlete students. They benefit from priority class registration, mandatory study hours, and tutoring sessions that boost their GPA, resources not always available to non-athletes. Additionally, the transition to college can be nerve-wracking, even for those who find socializing easy. Being a student-athlete fosters early social interactions, helping to establish lifelong friendships and relationships from the start.
Studies that showed the positive effects of playing sports dovetailed with increased parental investment on kids’ activities over the past forty years. That total number of collegiate student-athletes was an all-time high for the NCAA in 2023 and marks a near 3,000 spike from the previous year.
Why Are Student-Athletes at Higher Risk for Mental Illness?...
By LifeStance Health
Published: July 23, 2024Read Time: 7 Minutes
How to Support Mental Health Wellness for Student-Athletes
Updated from previous article on May 6, 2022.
Sports, and especially team sports, have many benefits for kids and student-athletes. Studies have consistently shown that kids who participate in sports make better grades, are more likely to go to college and stay more active and healthier later in life.
Student-athletes are more likely to finish college and less likely to drop out than non-athlete students. They benefit from priority class registration, mandatory study hours, and tutoring sessions that boost their GPA, resources not always available to non-athletes. Additionally, the transition to college can be nerve-wracking, even for those who find socializing easy. Being a student-athlete fosters early social interactions, helping to establish lifelong friendships and relationships from the start.
Studies that showed the positive effects of playing sports dovetailed with increased parental investment on kids’ activities over the past forty years. That total number of collegiate student-athletes was an all-time high for the NCAA in 2023 and marks a near 3,000 spike from the previous year.
Why Are Student-Athletes at Higher Risk for Mental Illness?...
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