Mental health is an increasingly discussed topic around the world. According to a recent study conducted by Global Health Service Monitor and obtained exclusively by BBC Brazil, “mental disorders have become one of the main health concerns for almost half of Brazilians”. Still, 49% of Brazilians say that depression and anxiety are sources of restlessness. In 2019, this percentage was 27%
As a result, there are many sources of information about mental health, what can be at the same time helpful and disconcerting. One media that has grown a lot in recent years is podcasts. There are a variety of podcasts on mental health with various formats and characteristics. Here, we’ve gathered 5 suggestions that we hope can make you feel better.
- The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie SantosTitle
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Spotify Review: 4,9 ☆
Dr. Laurie Santos is a Harvard University PH.d graduate and a professor of Psychology at Yale University, where she ministrates the Psychology and the Good Life class, the most attended one in the history of the Institution. In 2019, Santos created The Happiness Lab podcast in partnership with Pushkin Industries, based on her course.
The episodes vary from 30 to 40 minutes, where she unravels everything from well-defined mental health conditions, Burnout and How to Avoid It, to more philosophical themes and everyday life emotions, Are We Born to Work? Or Born to Live?.
Normally, the host explains the psychological phenomenon she is discussing that episode and comments on the latest research results related to it. In addition, she receives guests and experts to talk about their experiences and theories. Besides that, she also gives advice on how to deal with these conditions.
- Griefcast
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Spotify Review: 5☆
Created in 2016 by British actor and comedian Cariad LLoyd, Griefcast is a weekly released podcast about grief and death. In the episodes, which last around 1 hour, LLoyd, who lost her dad at 15, talks to media personalities about their experience with losing people.
Even though the idea might seem a little tragic at first, the conversations are mostly quite objective and direct towards unpacking the emotions and consequences of dealing with someone’s death. In fact, they can be rather funny in some moments. This, however, does not make them less profound or personal in any way.
“We’re all in this club that no one asked to join, and it’s really helpful when you realize there’s other people in the club. Part of grief is feeling quite isolated, so when you realize, ‘Oh, it’s not just me,’ It does help.” – LLoyd states on the show’s sinopsis.
- Anything Goes with Emma Chamberlain
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Spotify Review: 4,9 ☆
You’ve probably heard of Emma Chamberlain before or at least of her new mansion in Los Angeles. The 21 year old became famous for posting relaxed and informal videos about her day to day life in high school. The content of her vlogs has now changed a bit alongside with her routine, which includes traveling to various cities and attending fashion shows. However, the intimate and friendly feel that made them stand out persists.
In 2020, she created Anything Goes, in which “Emma talks at length about whatever is on her mind every week. Anything really does go on this podcast. Sometimes philosophy, sometimes a random story from 10 years ago, sometimes advice, and sometimes nothing at all.”- excerpt from the sinopsis.
This podcast is not specifically about mental health. Nonetheless, that is one of the most recurring themes in the series, as Emma has been suffering from anxiety and depression for a long time.
In the episodes, which last around 1 hour and are released weekly, she shares her experience on dealing with mental health issues and gives tips on how to get better from these conditions. Besides that, listening to them feels just like having a fun conversation with a friend, which is great for feeling less lonely.
- Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast
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Spotify Review: 4,8 ☆
This podcast focuses solely on anxiety. Released weekly, it tackles the many shapes and forms that this condition can take, such as Relationship Anxiety and Social Anxiety: An Expert’s Take.
British journalist and author of the bestselling book Owning it: Your Bullsh*t-Free Guide to Living with Anxiety Caroline Foran shares her knowledge of many years of having anxiety and seeking help. Besides that, she also invites guests to share their experience and expertise on how to deal with the disease.
“This practical and relaxed series explores everything from what anxiety is and why it happens to us, how our brains work and why it’s actually very normal to the various tools and techniques necessary for owning it.” – excerpt from the podcast’s sinopsis.
It is a great choice for those who want to understand anxiety in detail and receive tips on how to decrease it.
Owning Your Boundaries – Owning It: The Anxiety Podcast | Podcast on Spotify
- Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
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Spotify Review: 4,9☆
“Dan Harris is a fidgety, skeptical journalist who had a panic attack on live national television, which led him to try something he otherwise never would have considered: meditation. He went on to write the bestselling book, 10% Happier. On this show, Dan talks with eminent meditation teachers, top scientists, and even the odd celebrity. Guests include everyone from His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Brené Brown to Karamo from Queer Eye” – excerpt from the podcast’s sinopsis
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris explores mental health from various points of views, such as scientifical, social, historical and religious. This diversity is due to the research work done by the host and the show’s production and also to contributions made by special guests. It is a great choice for gaining a general perspective on mental health and wellness and also to understand how other cultures see this topic.
The episodes, which last around 1 hour, are a very complete and accessible source of information and advice. In addition to these episodes, shorter ones, of less than 10 minutes, which explore meditation techniques, are also posted. New episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- BONUS: Couples Therapy with Candice and Casey
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Spotify Review: 4,9 ☆
If you are a regular on YouTube, you have probably come up to a Casey Neistat video at least once. In 2018, the Father of the Vlog created a podcast with his wife, the jewelry designer, Candice Pool Neistat.
In Couples Therapy, they discuss their marriage stories, about what they like and dislike in each other, parenting and everyday life events. Besides that, they also answer questions from listeners. The tone of the production is humorous and light-hearted, especially, because of the traditional banter between the couple.
Not necessarily the most informative one, listening to it can help to feel less lonely during a crisis and, generally, gain perspective on the many factors that go into building a relationship with someone else.
Unfortunately, the podcast ended in 2019, but the episodes, which range from 30 to 45 minutes, are still available on most audio platforms.
Rules of war – Couples Therapy with Candice and Casey | Podcast on Spotify
The article above was edited by Lethicia Lioi.
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