General Mental Health

• A survey of 1,000 physicians found that nearly half had made or considered a major career change because of well-being concerns. Although burnout has declined slightly from pandemic highs, 55% reported debilitating stress and regular burnout symptoms, with employed physicians experiencing these challenges more often than those in independent practice. Read more here.

AI and Mental Health

• NPR estimates that more than one million weekly ChatGPT users discuss suicide or self-harm. In response, OpenAI introduced an optional Trusted Contact feature in May to connect users experiencing emotional crises with someone they trust, reflecting experts’ emphasis on human connection in suicide prevention. Read more here.

Youth Mental Health

• A review of 39 studies and policy analyses examined approaches to adolescent social media use, including warning labels, age restrictions, parental oversight, school phone policies, platform design, and protections against deepfakes and nonconsensual images. Although these strategies may improve awareness and reduce risks, evidence regarding their effectiveness and unintended consequences remains limited. The findings suggest that policy is advancing faster than research and should be guided by balanced, ongoing evaluation. Read more here.
• A randomized trial of 1,793 adolescents found that cognitive behavioral therapy–based prevention reduced 12-month gaming and internet-use disorder symptoms more effectively than media literacy among those at high risk. The difference was not significant across the full study population, suggesting that targeted prevention may be most beneficial. Read more here.
• According to a study published in the World Journal of Pediatrics, children between ages 4 and 5 who had a cat were 37% more likely to exhibit internalizing behaviors, such as worry, sadness, and emotional withdrawal, and 27% more likely to display externalizing behaviors, including acting out and difficulty controlling impulses. Read more here.

Young Adult Mental Health

• A study of young adults found that sexual harassment and abuse were associated with increased depression and anxiety, with effects often persisting over time and particularly strong associations with sexual intimidation. The findings indicate that mental health consequences can occur even without physical assault, highlighting the importance of early identification and timely support for affected individuals. Read more here.
• An Urban Institute report estimates that up to 2.3 million adults ages 19 to 24 could lose Medicaid coverage when work requirements begin next year. Young adults may be particularly vulnerable because they move frequently and may have difficulty documenting qualifying activities, such as gig work or education, and completing required eligibility check-ins. Read more here.

Older Adult Mental Health

• A randomized clinical trial involving 306 older adults found that combining psychological support with medication optimization significantly reduced depression and anxiety symptoms three months after major surgery compared with enhanced usual care. The findings suggest that tailored perioperative mental health interventions may improve outcomes for older surgical patients. Read more here.

Veteran Mental Health

• A study of 36,275 adults with chronic pain found that one-third had seen a mental health professional in the previous year. Among those with identified mental health needs, unmet treatment needs were lowest among people with military or VA coverage and highest among those with private insurance, possibly reflecting differences in affordability and care integration. Read more here.
• A comparative study of more than 813,000 Veterans Affairs patients found that video-based mental health care was associated with slightly fewer hospitalizations, emergency visits, and suicidal behaviors—and more completed appointments—than phone or in-person care. However, the video group may have been healthier and better resourced, so the findings should be interpreted cautiously. Read more here.

Psychedelics and Mental Health

• As the FDA considers approving its first psychedelic medicine, the agency held a hearing on how these treatments should be administered, monitored, and studied after approval. A central issue was determining which providers could deliver the treatments and how those requirements might affect patient access. Unlike the psychotherapy-assisted models used in Oregon and Colorado, many companies now plan to administer psychedelic medicines in supervised sessions led by a designated dosing-session monitor. Read more here.

Research

• A study of 36,275 adults with chronic pain found that one-third had seen a mental health professional in the previous year. Among those with identified mental health needs, unmet treatment needs were lowest among people with military or VA coverage and highest among those with private insurance, possibly reflecting differences in affordability and care integration. Read more here.