Mental Health Good News

Stories about people and organizations making a difference for mental health — and fighting the stigma around mental health

A man laying down on a couch holds his head as a therapist sits just out of frame

Digital avatars are helping psychosis patients confront the voices in their heads

New technology from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King’s College London is helping patients confront auditory hallucinations.

A child sits at a desk, bored, resting his head on his hand

Screens have made it easier than ever for kids to avoid boredom. But here's why it's good for them to have nothing to do

Boredom serves a useful purpose, scientists say. It motivates people to pursue new goals and challenges.

On the left, a young woman stands beside two cartoon creations she's made with an update reading that she donated $40,000 to mental health aid this year. On the right, a close-up of the front cover of "It's Lonely at the Centre of the Earth."

This book has been hailed as one of the best graphic novels of the decade. Now it’s helped raise over $40K for mental health services

British artist Zoe Thorogood was just 23 when she penned “It’s Lonely at the Centre of the Earth.”

Two photos side-by-side. On the left is an elderly woman snuggling a small, elderly dog. On the right are two senior dogs sitting in a bed together

At this 'cuddle club,' senior dogs and senior citizens find companionship in each other

San Francisco’s Muttville Senior Dog Rescue hosts monthly meetups for elderly community members — both human and canine.

A grandma sits at a purple lemonade stand talking to a stranger. It's called "The Grandma Stand"

Strangers seeking life advice find it at the Grandma Stand, a rotating pop-up staffed by 15 NYC grandmas

Need a little good, old-fashioned advice? Or even just a listening ear? These grandmas are going pro bono.

This woman conquered 100 fears in 100 days. Now she's helping others do the same

Michelle Poler’s “100 Days Without Fear” project has since turned into an entire career.

A woman sits cross-legged on the floor of an art studio, studying a handful of paintings

Study suggests an interest in art leads to a more meaningful life

Researchers set out to explore “the value of art beyond aesthetic pleasure.” This is what they found.

A woman with short, styled red hair smiles as she looks down

'Live Fast. Die Old:' How a nonprofit is reducing suicide rates in the Dallas music scene

Amplified Minds has been helping musicians like Jonathan Taylor find mental health support in Dallas, Texas.

A middle schooler throws a pie in the face of her teacher at a school assembly

Absenteeism rates plummeted at this middle school after incentivizing students with a chance to 'pie a teacher'

The rewards are part of a more robust accountability program, which has seen great success after one year in action.

An elderly man reads a newspaper in a crowded cafe

Obituaries are the most-read parts of newspapers. Here's what 38 million tributes reveal about 'a life well-lived'

A new study examined 38 million American obituaries. Here's what the findings revealed.

A still from the movie "Inside Out" in which a blue haired yellow emotion named Joy holds up a golden glowing memory to their friend Sadness, a blue emotion.

'Inside Out' characters are the new 'go to' for therapists

In under a decade, the two “Inside Out” movies have been embraced by the psychology community at large.

Two young women sit at a desk studying and smiling at each other

No more 'heart vs. head:' New study shows how empathy and reasoning both inspire us to help others

New research examines how empathy and reasoning impact altruistic judgments and enable people to help one another.