President Trump believes that working hard may treat depression.

 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VX5itznO_LM?si=7O9CEnEKqeNdEmn3

 

SSRIs and mass shootings what the science says - The Washington Post

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suggested that psychiatric drugs may have played a role in the Minnesota Catholic school shooting — a statement widely criticized as unsupported by science...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/08/29/ssris-mass-shootings-science-rfk/

 

Social media still pushing suicide-related content to teens despite new UK safety laws | Internet safety | The Guardian

Researchers who set up dummy accounts as 15-year-old girl were bombarded with self-harm and depression posts…

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/19/social-media-still-pushing-suicide-related-content-to-teens-despite-new-uk-safety-laws 

 

The US Catalyzed Japan's Invasion of Manchuria | Sarah Paine

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QUcdQLEhsc0

 

Lead in gasoline tied to millions of excess mental health disorders: study

Exposure to car exhaust from leaded gas, which was phased out in 1996, resulted in anxiety, depression and ADHD symptoms in generations of people, researchers found...

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/lead-gasoline-tied-millions-excess-mental-health-disorders-study-rcna182881

Mind the Science: How the Wellness Industry is Scamming Us (with Dr. Jonathan Stea)(Seth Andrews; The Thinking Atheist podcast)

Dr. Jonathan Stea is a psychologist and author of the new book, Mind the Science: Saving Your Mental Health from the Wellness Industry.  He joins us to talk about everything from detox to depression. 

        Dr. Stea's website: https://www.jonathanstea.com/

Interview: 

https://www.thethinkingatheist.com/podcast-1/episode/78f1a1ba/mind-the-science-how-the-wellness-industry-is-scamming-us-with-dr-jonathan-stea

Unveiling Mormon Secrets with Dr. John Dehlin - Part 2

In the latest episode of the Cross Examiner podcast, we delve into the fascinating journey of Dr. John Dehlin, host of the Mormon Stories podcast. ( / mormonstories )  (Part 1 was here.)

Dr. Dehlin, an ex-Mormon, has dedicated his career to exposing the truths behind Mormon practices and helping others navigate their own faith crises. This episode is a continuation of our in-depth conversation with him, exploring the psychological and social impacts of religious indoctrination, the rise of Christian nationalism, and the role of misinformation.

Dr. Dehlin's journey is both compelling and relatable. Raised as a sixth-generation Mormon, he was taught to obey and follow the church's teachings without question. However, cracks began to form in his faith as he encountered various inconsistencies and ethical concerns, particularly during his mission in Guatemala. His experiences there, coupled with the rise of the internet and the availability of information, led him to question the very foundations of his beliefs.

One of the most striking aspects of Dr. Dehlin's story is the concept of the "shelf." In the Mormon and post-Mormon world, individuals are encouraged to put doubts and questions on a metaphorical shelf, trusting that answers will come in time. For Dr. Dehlin, the shelf eventually became too heavy to bear, leading to a profound crisis of faith. This journey of questioning and seeking truth is something many can relate to, regardless of their religious background.

The episode also delves into the broader implications of religious indoctrination and the rise of secular support systems. Dr. Dehlin discusses the importance of organizations like Recovering from Religion and the Secular Therapy Project, which provide crucial support for individuals leaving high-demand religions. These organizations offer a safe space for people to explore their doubts and find a community that understands their struggles.

One of the most powerful moments in the episode is when Dr. Dehlin talks about the psychological impact of leaving a high-demand religion. He shares how many individuals experience anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts as they grapple with the loss of their faith and the subsequent social and familial fallout. This highlights the critical need for mental health support and resources for those undergoing such transitions.

Dr. Dehlin's work with the Mormon Stories podcast has not only helped countless individuals but also shed light on the broader human experience. As he aptly puts it, "The Mormon story is the human story." By sharing personal narratives, his podcast fosters empathy and understanding, encouraging listeners to see the common threads that connect us all.

For those interested in exploring these themes further, we highly recommend tuning into this episode. Dr. Dehlin's insights and experiences offer a valuable perspective on the intersection of religion, truth, and personal transformation. Whether you're grappling with your own faith or simply curious about the human condition, this episode is sure to resonate.

Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation. Listen to the full episode now and join us on this journey of discovery and understanding. 

Interview: 

https://youtu.be/9jyuMNzRCMc?si=kVxxjVSarmz8oiW-

Chapters: 

(00:00) Introduction 

(03:00) Dr. John Dehlin's Background 

(10:00) Questioning Faith and "The Shelf" 

(20:00) Mission Experiences and Ethical Concerns 

(30:00) The Role of the Internet and Information 

(40:00) Psychological Impact and Counseling 

(50:00) The Rise of the Nones and Decline in Membership 

(01:00:00) Exposing Harmful Practices 

(01:10:00) The Importance of Secular Support Systems 

(01:20:00) Collaboration with Other Ex-Religious Communities 

(01:30:00) Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

The Finnish miracle: how the country halved its suicide rate – and saved countless lives

It is now often known as the 'world's happiest country', but Finland used to have one of the highest suicide rates in the world. From alcohol to antidepressants, here are the changes that made the difference…

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/22/the-finnish-miracle-how-the-country-halved-its-suicide-rate-and-saved-countless-lives

Make kids believe in God by lying to them

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA8qWN5lfbQ

At least half of all people likely to develop from mental health disorders before 75: study | The Hill

"The two most prevalent disorders were alcohol use disorder and major depressive disorder for male respondents and major depressive disorder and specific phobia for female respondents," the study said…https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/mental-health/4139267-at-least-half-develop-mental-health-disorders-before-75/

Transgender teens receiving hormone treatment see improvements to their mental health - Scimex

Transgender teenagers who receive gender-affirming hormone treatments are more comfortable with their appearance and experience fewer depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a US study. The researchers recruited 315 transgender and nonbinary people aged 12-20 receiving testosterone or estradiol, and asked them to report how they felt their appearance matched their gender identity, their overall life satisfaction and answer questions about their mental health over a period of two years. The researchers say depression and anxiety levels dropped over the study period and appearance congruence and life satisfaction improved...

https://www.scimex.org/newsfeed/transgender-teens-receiving-hormone-treatment-see-improvements-to-their-mental-health

Why Religion is Not the Answer: Rejection, Torture, and Eternal Damnation (Student Essay contest 6th place)

"According to the Trevor Project in 2020, LGBTQ+ youth are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide as their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Rates of depression and drug use are also elevated in this population. 

These issues become more pronounced in those who are transgender, of color or disabled. Research conducted by the Family Acceptance Project found that among LGBTQ+ youth, one-third experience parental rejection. Highly religious families were the least likely to be accepting. Those whose families reject them are at a higher risk for mental health issues and major health concerns including HIV. 

Rejection in these cases often included alienation, preventing access to support, using religious beliefs to remind their children of damnation and hell, and sending children to clergy or other providers to “change” their LGBTQ+ identity."...

https://www.freethoughttoday.com/articles/vol-39-no-10-december-2022/6th-place-grad-student-essay-contest-amanda-desantis/

Debunking the vegan myth: The case for a plant-forward omnivorous whole-foods diet (ScienceDirect)

Abstract 

Vegan diets are widely promoted as protective against cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, removing all animal foods from a human's diet usually causes unfavorable health consequences. Our hominin ancestors began consuming meat, fish, seafood, and eggs >2 million years ago. 

Consequently, humans are genetically adapted to procure nutrients from both plant and animal sources. In contrast, veganism is without evolutionary precedent in Homo sapiens species. Strict adherence to a vegan diet causes predictable deficiencies in nutrients including vitamins B12, B2, D, niacin, iron, iodine, zinc, high-quality proteins, omega-3, and calcium. 

Prolonged strict veganism increases risk for bone fractures, sarcopenia, anemia, and depression. A more logical diet is a plant-forward omnivorous eating pattern that emphasizes generous consumption of natural, unprocessed foods predominantly from plants. To balance this diet, modest amounts of wholesome animal foods, such wild-caught fish/seafood, pasture-raised meat and eggs, and fermented unsweetened dairy should be consumed regularly.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0033062022000834

The pessimistic generation: How grown-ups can grow up and give kids some hope (On Point)

Young people today are dealing with fallout from much more than the pandemic.

"We have a big crisis with our children and our young adults that hasn’t ... been measured well," stress scientist Elissa Epel says. "But we see it happening."

Climate anxiety. Social unrest. Racism. Politics.

An endless stream of negativity on TV, on the radio, on their phones ... everywhere.

"Naturally they’re developing a pretty negative view of their future," Epel adds.

Today, On Point: Kids and pessimism. We hear why it's time for grown-ups to grow up, and give our kids some hope.
Interview: 

https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2021/10/29/kids-pandemic-pessimism-politics-teens-future-social-media

Young people experiencing 'widespread' psychological distress over government handling of looming climate crisis, researchers say - ABC News

… 75% of those surveyed said they feel the future is frightening, while 64% said governments are not doing enough to avoid a climate catastrophe…

https://abcnews.go.com/International/young-people-experiencing-widespread-psychological-distress-government-handling/story

Immigrants report slew of physical and emotional harms from electronic ankle monitors

Immigrants interviewed for the report painted a dire picture of their lives under surveillance: 12 percent considered suicide as a result of being monitored, and 88 percent spoke of mental health issues, trouble sleeping, migraines and depression.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jul/12/immigrants-report-physical-emotional-harms-electronic-ankle-monitors

Small increases in air pollution linked to rise in depression, finds study

Small increases in people’s exposure to air pollution are linked to significant rises in depression and anxiety, according to the first such study of UK adults. The researchers found that an incremental increase in nitrogen dioxide, largely produced by diesel vehicles, heightened the risk of common mental disorders by 39%. For tiny particle pollution, which comes from burning fuels, and brake and tyre dust, the risk rose by 18%.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/24/small-increases-in-air-pollution-linked-to-rise-in-depression-finds-study

2020: The Next Great Depression (w/ Richard Wolff ) - YouTube

"We are in the middle of the severest depression, ever. Unemployment is at an all-time high and many people will never work again. Should the government employ many of these unemployed people, as happened the in great depression 100 years ago? Or will they just ignore them?"....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CclatSvMT0&t=217s

Gary Shilling says the stock market could see a 1930s-like decline

Stocks could be poised for a big drop similar to the market’s decline during the Great Depression, according to financial analyst Gary Shilling. In a CNBC interview, Shilling said the stock market could plunge between 30-40% over the next year as investors realize the economic recovery from the coronavirus recession could take longer than expected.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/06/gary-shilling-says-the-stock-market-could-see-a-1930s-like-decline.html

What We Learn From FDR's New Deal (On Point)

Lessons from the New Deal. It wasn’t one big package wrapped in political consensus. We look at the real, messy process that pulled the U.S. out of the Great Depression.
Interview:
https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2020/05/27/what-we-learn-from-fdrs-new-deal