Calling or texting 988 connects you with immediate crisis support. “Crisis center follow-up” is the next step—aimed at making sure people who may still be at risk are connected to stabilization, respite, and ongoing care after the call ends.
If someone might be suicidal, your first job is safety. Use 988 (call/text/chat) to reach crisis support—and call 911 if there’s imminent physical danger. While you wait, stay with them if you can, ask directly, and reduce access to lethal means.
If you call or text 988 and your local crisis option can’t take your contact, the system is designed to route you to a national backup. Wait times can still vary by call/text/chat method and local demand—so if one path doesn’t connect, trying another 988 method can help you reach a counselor faster.
Therapy waitlists are real, but you still have options. Here’s how to tell when anxiety may need assessment, what primary care may be able to do sooner, and when to reach out to 988 or 911.
A new federal screen-use warning says parents should watch for sleep problems, mood changes, hiding use, failed cutbacks, and screen time crowding out school, chores, or in-person life.
New HHS messaging about psychiatric prescribing and Reuters reporting about possible SSRI restrictions do not mean patients should stop antidepressants on their own. Here is what changed, what did not, and how tapering is usually handled with a clinician.
Poor sleep can make anxiety feel louder, and anxiety can make it harder to fall or stay asleep. The first steps are usually practical: steady sleep habits, then cognitive behavioral therapy for persistent insomnia, and a mental health evaluation when anxiety is hard to manage or starts disrupting daily life.
Worry is common, but anxiety can cross the line when it lasts, feels hard to control, and starts disrupting daily life. Here’s how to spot the difference, what short-term self-care may help, and when to reach out for professional care.
Postpartum mental-health support is stretching across the full first year after birth, with longer Medicaid coverage, more screening chances, and a federal hotline.
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and major health organizations now recognize chronic psychological stress as a meaningful cardiovascular risk factor. Here’s what the evidence shows, who is most vulnerable, and what practical steps can lower stress-related heart risk.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults ages 19 to 64 for anxiety disorders in primary care. Here’s what that means, how screening works, and what happens next.
Most of the United States moved clocks forward on March 8, 2026, losing an hour of sleep. Research suggests that even this small shift can temporarily affect heart health, mood, driving safety, and workplace injuries—especially in a nation already short on sleep.
The newest CDC provisional suicide data show a slight shift after recent record highs. Here’s what the numbers mean, who is most affected, and how the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is functioning for families in 2026.
Federal data show that primary care and mental health shortages remain widespread in 2026, especially in rural, tribal, and low-income communities. Here’s what a federal shortage designation means, how it affects wait times and emergency department use, and what’s being done to address the gaps.
Federal telehealth flexibilities for prescribing ADHD stimulants were extended through December 31, 2025, while medication shortages continue into 2026. Here’s what patients and families across the United States should know about access, insurance, and practical next steps.
Federal mental health funding for 2026 places renewed focus on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Here’s what that could mean for crisis response, wait times, and access to care across the United States.
Federal regulators say current evidence does not show a clear link between GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and suicidal thoughts. Here’s what the FDA reviewed, what the data show, and what patients should watch for.
New federal data show continued high use of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Here’s what the numbers mean, who is using the service, and how it fits into mental health care nationwide.
ADHD remains one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental conditions in the United States. Here’s what current guidance says about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and what it means for families and adults living with ADHD.
ADHD remains one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions in the United States. Here’s what current public health guidance and medical research say about symptoms, treatment options, medication safety, and what families should know.
Hearing loss affects millions of Americans across all ages. Here’s what the latest federal guidance and research say about risk factors, over-the-counter hearing aids, prevention, and when to seek care.
CDC is expanding the use of near real-time emergency department data to detect suicide risk trends faster. Here’s what that means for families, communities, and mental health care in the United States.
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