If you've ever wondered where the oft light-heartedly used phrase "drinking the Kool-Aid" came from, it's a dark reference to the 1978 Jonestown tragedy, in which hundreds of cult members were convinced by their leader to commit suicide. However, the story of cult leader Jim Jones begins long before this tragedy. Jim ... Read More
Featured in Mental Health
Featured in Behavioral and Mental Health
How to Stop Overthinking and Catastrophizing
Will PTSD Go Away?
Jim Jones and the Tragedy of Jonestown: What Role Drugs Played
What are the Effects of Toxic Relationships on Mental Health?
If you repeatedly feel more stressed, anxious, or irritable after spending time with someone, this may be a sign that the relationship is toxic. A toxic relationship can occur with anyone, whether it be a family member, a friend, or a romantic partner. Talking to or being around this person may feel like a burden and ... Read More
What Does It Mean to Focus on Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a hot topic in the mental wellness space, but what is mindfulness? Learning to live in the moment can be difficult when you struggle with mental illness. Anxiety tends to keep the mind in the future, worrying about what's to come. On the other hand, depression tends to keep the mind in the past, with no ... Read More
The “Napoleon Complex”— Are There Mental Health Implications?
Introduced by Charles Darwin in his 1871 work The Descent of Man, the theory of sexual selection suggests the primary reason for men being taller and stronger than women involves, as Darwin wrote, the "struggle for life." In other words, men who presented characteristics such as tallness, health and aggressiveness were ... Read More
Mental Health Tips for Pregnancy, from a Mom-to-Be in Recovery
I’ve been in long-term recovery for years. Being pregnant, on the other hand, is mind-blowingly new. That may be one reason people have asked me what it’s like to navigate the mental health challenges unique to pregnancy as someone in recovery. They seem to be asking, “How are you staying sane and sober through the ... Read More
Big City or Rural: Which Is Better for Mental Health?
There are varying opinions about the impact of living in urban and rural settings and mental health. Many people don't consider the relationship between their environment and mental health, but the environment where an individual spends most of their time can impact their mental wellness. Physical and social aspects of ... Read More
The NCAA’s Plan to Address Athletes’ Mental Health
Mental health in student-athletes has long been neglected and the NCAA has come under fire for neglecting this area. In the early part of 2022, for instance, five suicides among student athletes were reported as a mental health crisis. Students and mental health professionals welcomed the announcement of the first ... Read More
How Air Quality Can Affect Mental Health
The U.S. Air Quality Index (AQI) system, a measure used by the EPA to determine daily air quality (AQ), categorizes air quality via these six colors: Green: good AQ Yellow: acceptable AQ, but with a slight risk for individuals who are especially sensitive to air contaminates Orange: unhealthy for sensitive ... Read More
