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Beyond Moral Panic: The Untold Stories of Harm Reduction and Care on Social Media
When the topic of social media inevitably arises in my conversations about youth suicide with clinicians, policymakers, researchers, parents, and other concerned adults, it is often framed as exacerbating. There is a widespread understanding among older generations that social media is worsening...
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10 Behavioral Health Trends for 2025
I hope everyone had a wonderful start to 2025…I am excited about continuing this ongoing dialogue, through my blog Behavioral Health: Matters, on critically important trends in the behavioral health sector. Here are my thoughts on the 10 areas of focus that we should be thinking about and...
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Advancing Suicide Prevention: The Role of Technology and AI in Mental Health Care
Suicide rates in the U.S. have reached alarming levels, with 13.2 million adults experiencing serious suicidal thoughts annually, 3.8 million making a plan, and 1.6 million attempting suicide. These statistics reflect a public health emergency that demands urgent attention. Yet, access to quality...
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Leveraging Digital Tools: Innovative Technology for Suicide Prevention and Support in Healthcare
Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with over 700,000 people taking their own lives each year (World Health Organization, 2021). Beyond the immense emotional toll it inflicts on families and friends, suicide places a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Over recent years,...
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Navigating the Digital Minefield: Cyberbullying, Catfishing, and Vulnerability Among Neurodivergent Populations
Sometimes, I think about the 90s when I was in elementary school, and I’m glad that tablets and smartphones were not yet in the world. I had faced a significant amount of bullying in person, but being bullied online can be a different kind of struggle. Cyberbullying is just as prevalent as...
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Breaking Down Barriers to Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Through Digital Innovation
While the rise of the sober curious movement and the growing availability of non-alcoholic options signal a shift away from drinking, alcohol use disorder (AUD) remains prevalent. At the same time, substance use disorder (SUD) affects over 46 million people aged 12 and older, according to the 2021...
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Using Technology to Personalize Behavioral Health Treatments
It’s no surprise that behavioral health providers are exploring how technology and artificial intelligence (AI) can improve patient care and support clinicians. Issues like burnout, the nationwide shortage of clinicians, and administrative burdens can be (at least) partially addressed by new...
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The Benefits of Robotics and AI for Children and Behavioral Health
As children grapple with increasing levels of anxiety and stress, teachers have struggled to cater to diverse learning needs in overcrowded classrooms, and clinicians are experiencing an overwhelming caseload. Robotics and artificial intelligence have the potential to transform child development in...
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Empowering Care: Leveraging AI in Helplines and Telehealth
“I’m sorry, Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that.” (2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968) “I’m going to enjoy watching you die, Mr. Anderson.” (The Matrix, 1999) “I’ll be back!” (The Terminator, 1984) Our cultural imagination is packed with images of terrifying,...
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Enhancing Therapeutic Conversations with Sentiment Analysis in Natural Language Processing
Therapy can greatly enhance an individual’s ability to communicate effectively during challenging times. Therapeutic discussions are essential in mental health care. They play a crucial role in mental health treatment by enabling patients to delve into their emotions, past traumas, and life...
