When the question of mental health arises, it is very easy to get stressed about what your next steps should be. There is an overwhelming amount of decision-making involved in the process of getting yourself in a better position to deal with your mental health. Of course, therapy should always be a part of the plan but oftentimes, for a multitude of reasons people can't be able to get the help that they require.
With the onset of the digital age, it has become a lot easier to access mental health services. Free services in the form of apps, videos on YouTube, PDFs of self-help books, and all available at the click of a button. While all of these are reasonable and valid choices, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to mental health.
Another valid choice is Podcasts which are very overlooked in the talks surrounding resources for mental health. Although there has been a recent rise in popularity, podcasts are nowhere near the same popularity as their counterparts.
Podcasts, with their widespread availability, are a great option for people who are not comfortable with other approaches to mental health. Since there is a huge amount of different podcasts for different needs, our team at Now&Me has put together a carefully curated list of mental health podcasts that cover a variety of topics.
Here Are Some Podcasts About Mental Health You Can Listen To
1. The Therapy Spot
Host Beth Rogerson is a licensed family and marriage therapist who talks about ways to live a better, more balanced life. Rogerson's podcast covers a wide variety of issues ranging from struggles with a romantic partner to anxiety and depression. She also invites other licensed therapists to advise on different topics based on their expertise. The Therapy Spot is a great podcast for when you are starting your journey towards self-care.
2. With That Being Said
Esther Boykin and Erica Turner, two licensed family and marriage therapists share their take on everything life and relationships on their podcast, With That Being Said. They give their listeners tips on how to live a more fulfilled and happier life. Each episode of this podcast has an overarching theme with topics like how to set better boundaries in romantic relationships, setting realistic expectations about therapy, and much more.
3. Attitudes!
The Attitudes! Podcast proves that conversations about "serious" topics don't have to be boring. The hosts Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi cover a variety of topics like LGBTQ+ and women's issues and how they affect mental health in the modern world. The format of the show is a quirky political comedy that keeps you laughing while also understanding the gravity of the topics being discussed.
4. Mental Illness Happy Hour
A weekly hour-long podcast hosted by Comedian Paul Gilmartin is perfect for everyone that struggles with depression, anxiety, or any other mental difficulties. As a creative, Gilmartin understands the struggle that other creatives go through. This podcast aims to destigmatize conversations around mental health. Gilmartin as a host often invites friends, family members, and even some doctors to have an open and honest conversation about mental health. His aim with this podcast is that people who are struggling will see that they are not alone and find hope in their life.
5. The Happiness Lab
From one of Yale’s most popular courses “Psychology and the Good Life”, Dr. Laurie Santos changes the way people see happiness through her podcast The Happiness Lab. Dr. Santos uses her expertise and years of experience to show her listeners that happiness isn’t in Instagram-worthy pictures or a better job or more money. She shares anecdotes, inspiring stories, and scientific research to redefine the meaning of happiness. This is the perfect podcast for people who are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.
6. The Hilarious World Of Depression
Depression is one of the most common and also the most stigmatized mental illness. Host John Moe, along with numerous guests, share with their audience how they have dealt with their own depression and managed to laugh along the way. The show solidifies that everyone with depression struggles with a variety of symptoms and how they manage their symptoms will also vary from person to person as everyone is different. The variety of personal stories and anecdotes prove to the listeners that they are not alone. This podcast is something you must listen to if you are managing your depression alone or have someone in your life who is struggling with depression.
7. Therapist Uncensored
Co-hosts, Sue Marriott and Ann Kelley unpack the science behind relationships and self-help in their unfiltered, uncensored podcast. They realized that regardless of how nerdy someone is, it is always impossible for people to read about, understand, and apply all the new research in the sphere of attachment and interpersonal relationships. The hosts enjoy translating the scientific world filled with jargon to their listeners. They often talk about what actually makes a difference in terms of self-help, relationships, and mental health.
8. Therapy Chat Podcast
Host Laura Reagan, a certified psychotherapist, invites other people in the field to have a chat about all things therapy. The Therapy Chat Podcast covers multiple topics ranging from technical conversations about psychotherapy and mindfulness to more relatable topics like parenthood. The guests also discuss how they as therapists avoid burnout, how to keep a work-life balance, trauma, self-care techniques, and much more. This podcast provides great insight into the inner workings of a therapist's mind and unveils the world of mystery that is psychotherapy.
9. ADHD reWired Podcast
Eric Tivers, a therapist that specializes in ADHD, and also has ADHD himself is the host of our next podcast on this list. His experience with ADHD, both personal and professional, make him the perfect, most sympathetic host for conversations about ADHD. Tivers candidly talks about his struggle with the disorder and also guides his listeners through the strategies he’s learned and developed to counter his ADHD, as well as things he still struggles with in terms of managing his symptoms.
10. Affirm
Hosted by Davia Roberts, Affirm is the podcast to listen to when you want to redefine your self-worth, value your mental health and become a more well-rounded person. Roberts started the podcast to affirm with young people of colour the inherent value that exists in their life. Although now discontinued, the 46-episode long podcast makes some important points that are very relevant to the lives of young people.
Although none of these shows are a replacement for therapy, the podcasts on this list raise very important points regarding self-care and also provide us with tools to manage our mental health in a healthy way.
Share your favorite podcast or have a conversation about mental health with our community at Now&Me.
