Latest news with #FrontiersinPsychiatry
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Snack on pecans, eat leafy greens and skip scrolling before bed — plus 8 more health tips to help you have a great week
Hello, health and wellness enthusiasts. My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I'm here to share tips so you can live your best life this week. Have you tried Meatless Mondays yet? A growing number of people are skipping meat in favor of plant-based meals. If you're veg-curious and wondering what you can replace chicken, steak and fish with while making sure you're still getting enough protein, fear not: Yahoo Life contributor and dietitian Maxine Yeung created a guide to eight great sources of protein that don't include any animal products. The bonus? Most of these options also include gut-healthy fiber, which many Americans are lacking in their diets. While you're cutting back on meat, consider eating more in-season fruits and vegetables to round out your meals. Rebecca Corey put together a guide for what produce is best in April. Consider some bright strawberries and an arugula salad — they'll taste freshest this time of year! Check out your local weather forecast and take a look at your horoscope if you're seeking advice from the stars. Then, dive into these small steps to make your week healthier and happier. One hour of screen time before going to bed increases your risk of insomnia by 59% and robs you of 24 minutes of precious sleep, according to a new study in Frontiers in Psychiatry. That's equivalent to missing out on hitting that snooze button 2.5 times. While you may be tempted to catch up on episodes of Severance or doomscroll on TikTok while propped up by pillows in your comfy bed, the researchers say that bedroom screen time can affect your sleep in four possible ways: Notifications like pings and vibrations can mess with your rest Screen time replaces time that should be spent snoozing Looking at a screen keeps you stimulated so it takes longer to fall asleep The light from screens affects your body's natural circadian rhythm, aka your internal clock Need some help falling asleep? Try these tips. Yahoo Life editor Rachel Grumman Bender recently shared the habit she's incorporating into her life: eating a serving of beans and lentils at least once a week. It's a great starting point: Beans are packed with nutrients, including protein, fiber, iron, calcium and magnesium, and studies have shown that they can help lower cholesterol, protect your heart and even help prevent colorectal cancer. If you're not super into the so-called magical fruit already, try finding fun ways to incorporate it into your diet. Make a 'dense bean salad' for lunch — or get creative and blend some black beans into brownie batter. 'Weekend warriors' are doing it right: A report published in the Journal of the American Heart Association says that fitting 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into one or two days provides similar health benefits as spreading workouts throughout the week. That includes reducing your risk of death from cancer and heart disease. If you're someone who thinks their life is simply too busy to do formal workouts more than a couple times a week, prioritize making fitness a part of your leisure time. Instead of meeting a friend for brunch on a Sunday, hit up a hiking trail or spin class together, for example. Pecans aren't just for pies. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adults who replaced their regular snacks with pecans improved their lipid and lipoproteins, which helps reduce cholesterol. While more information is needed — for example, it's possible that pecans were replacing processed foods high in saturated fats, which could account for the change — there's good reason to enjoy more of this nut, which has its own national day on April 14. Pecans are packed with zinc, thiamin and vitamin E, as well as healthy fats and fiber to support heart and gut microbiome health. Try some on top of oatmeal or Greek yogurt at breakfast, or even sprinkle some crushed, toasted pecans on roasted veggies for an extra crunch. If you've tried counting imaginary sheep at night to no avail, consider this trick known as "cognitive shuffling.' The method created by cognitive scientist Luc P. Beaudoin involves thinking of random, unrelated words to stop yourself from ruminating on things that could keep you up at night, like a stressful news report or a tough day at work. Start by picking a letter and then coming up with a series of words that start with it, like 'cat,' 'cookie,' 'cricket,' etc. Distracting yourself from the stuff that's mentally straining you can be a good approach to drifting off to sleep, as oftentimes it's these intense thoughts and emotions that keep us up. Another good way to ensure your sleep is a restful one? Practice good sleep hygiene: Keep your room dark, cool and quiet and wind down without screens an hour before bed. If your feed is full of idealized bodies from fitness influencers and celebrities, you may want to consider what messages you're absorbing. A new study published in Health Communication found that young women who received twice-daily texts prompting them to think about the type of fitness content they encountered online led to a significant drop in 'social comparison,' which research shows has a significant impact on body image. While some fitness-related posts may inspire you to get moving, you should be mindful of how this type of content makes you feel. If scrolling through certain accounts leads you to feel insecure in your own skin, consider curating your feed and hitting the 'unfollow' button. Mel Robbins recently had Stacy Sims, an exercise physiologist, on her podcast, during which Sims spoke about fundamental differences in how male and female bodies use energy. One recommendation for women, which bucks the whole intermittent fasting trend, is to make sure you get a protein-rich breakfast before you exercise, even if that's something low-intensity, like a walk. If you're not a big breakfast eater or simply have no appetite in the morning, Sims recommends protein coffee: Mix some protein powder into the milk you'd use for a morning latte and take it on-the-go. You'll hit 30 grams of protein but won't feel weighed down the way you might with a hearty egg scramble. April 11 is National Pet Day, and if you have a dog, this is your reminder to show them some love by taking them for an extra-long walk. Not only will Fido get some exercise, you'll also increase your own step count and lower your sedentary time, both of which can improve your overall health. No dog of your own? Offer your dog walking services to a busy friend or volunteer at an animal shelter where prospective pets always need some TLC. If you want to nix salt altogether, try this hack I'm using to make veggies taste bright and refreshing: Zest a lemon over veggies before roasting them in the oven. My favorite is spears of asparagus, but broccoli and cauliflower are great choices as well to add a little extra zing. There's nutritional value to that zest too, as lemon peel contains fiber, calcium, potassium and vitamin C — and if you enjoy the flavor so much it makes you eat more vegetables, even better! Last month I recommended making pantry sushi for an easy, convenient meal. This week, I have another lazy person's dinner hack: the ricotta plate. This was inspired by an excellent appetizer I had at a restaurant recently, and it couldn't be simpler. Just scoop a heap of ricotta onto a plate alongside roasted, seasoned-to-your-liking veggies and chickpeas and dig in. Ricotta boasts calcium and protein, and it can be sweetened with a drizzle of honey (make it hot honey if you're feeling spicy) or balsamic vinaigrette. Want to cut back on saturated fat? Go for a low-fat variety. You probably don't think much about how what's on your plate can affect the health of your nails, but you should. As Prevention wrote about this week, dark, leafy greens have plenty of iron, which your nails need to grow strong. A lack of iron in your diet can show up in your nails too: Iron deficiency can lead to brittle nails, as well as vertical ridges. Try crisping up some lightly oiled kale in the oven with nutritional yeast for a chip-like snack — nutritional yeast contains B12, which is excellent for your nails, along with your skin and hair.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Snack on pecans, eat leafy greens and skip scrolling before bed — plus 8 more health tips to have a great week
Hello, health and wellness enthusiasts. My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I'm here to share tips so you can live your best life this week. Have you tried Meatless Mondays yet? A growing number of people are skipping meat in favor of plant-based meals. If you're veg-curious and wondering what you can replace chicken, steak and fish with while making sure you're still getting enough protein, fear not: Yahoo Life contributor and dietitian Maxine Yeung created a guide to eight great sources of protein that don't include any animal products. The bonus? Most of these options also include gut-healthy fiber, which many Americans are lacking in their diets. While you're cutting back on meat, consider eating more in-season fruits and vegetables to round out your meals. Rebecca Corey put together a guide for what produce is best in April. Consider some bright strawberries and an arugula salad — they'll taste freshest this time of year! Check out your local weather forecast and take a look at your horoscope if you're seeking advice from the stars. Then, dive into these small steps to make your week healthier and happier. One hour of screen time before going to bed increases your risk of insomnia by 59% and robs you of 24 minutes of precious sleep, according to a new study in Frontiers in Psychiatry. That's equivalent to missing out on hitting that snooze button 2.5 times. While you may be tempted to catch up on episodes of Severance or doomscroll on TikTok while propped up by pillows in your comfy bed, the researchers say that bedroom screen time can affect your sleep in four possible ways: Notifications like pings and vibrations can mess with your rest Screen time replaces time that should be spent snoozing Looking at a screen keeps you stimulated so it takes longer to fall asleep The light from screens affects your body's natural circadian rhythm, aka your internal clock Need some help falling asleep? Try these tips. Yahoo Life editor Rachel Grumman Bender recently shared the habit she's incorporating into her life: eating a serving of beans and lentils at least once a week. It's a great starting point: Beans are packed with nutrients, including protein, fiber, iron, calcium and magnesium, and studies have shown that they can help lower cholesterol, protect your heart and even help prevent colorectal cancer. If you're not super into the so-called magical fruit already, try finding fun ways to incorporate it into your diet. Make a 'dense bean salad' for lunch — or get creative and blend some black beans into brownie batter. 'Weekend warriors' are doing it right: A report published in the Journal of the American Heart Association says that fitting 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise into one or two days provides similar health benefits as spreading workouts throughout the week. That includes reducing your risk of death from cancer and heart disease. If you're someone who thinks their life is simply too busy to do formal workouts more than a couple times a week, prioritize making fitness a part of your leisure time. Instead of meeting a friend for brunch on a Sunday, hit up a hiking trail or spin class together, for example. Pecans aren't just for pies. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that adults who replaced their regular snacks with pecans improved their lipid and lipoproteins, which helps reduce cholesterol. While more information is needed — for example, it's possible that pecans were replacing processed foods high in saturated fats, which could account for the change — there's good reason to enjoy more of this nut, which has its own national day on April 14. Pecans are packed with zinc, thiamin and vitamin E, as well as healthy fats and fiber to support heart and gut microbiome health. Try some on top of oatmeal or Greek yogurt at breakfast, or even sprinkle some crushed, toasted pecans on roasted veggies for an extra crunch. If you've tried counting imaginary sheep at night to no avail, consider this trick known as "cognitive shuffling.' The method created by cognitive scientist Luc P. Beaudoin involves thinking of random, unrelated words to stop yourself from ruminating on things that could keep you up at night, like a stressful news report or a tough day at work. Start by picking a letter and then coming up with a series of words that start with it, like 'cat,' 'cookie,' 'cricket,' etc. Distracting yourself from the stuff that's mentally straining you can be a good approach to drifting off to sleep, as oftentimes it's these intense thoughts and emotions that keep us up. Another good way to ensure your sleep is a restful one? Practice good sleep hygiene: Keep your room dark, cool and quiet and wind down without screens an hour before bed. If your feed is full of idealized bodies from fitness influencers and celebrities, you may want to consider what messages you're absorbing. A new study published in Health Communication found that young women who received twice-daily texts prompting them to think about the type of fitness content they encountered online led to a significant drop in 'social comparison,' which research shows has a significant impact on body image. While some fitness-related posts may inspire you to get moving, you should be mindful of how this type of content makes you feel. If scrolling through certain accounts leads you to feel insecure in your own skin, consider curating your feed and hitting the 'unfollow' button. Mel Robbins recently had Stacy Sims, an exercise physiologist, on her podcast, during which Sims spoke about fundamental differences in how male and female bodies use energy. One recommendation for women, which bucks the whole intermittent fasting trend, is to make sure you get a protein-rich breakfast before you exercise, even if that's something low-intensity, like a walk. If you're not a big breakfast eater or simply have no appetite in the morning, Sims recommends protein coffee: Mix some protein powder into the milk you'd use for a morning latte and take it on-the-go. You'll hit 30 grams of protein but won't feel weighed down the way you might with a hearty egg scramble. April 11 is National Pet Day, and if you have a dog, this is your reminder to show them some love by taking them for an extra-long walk. Not only will Fido get some exercise, you'll also increase your own step count and lower your sedentary time, both of which can improve your overall health. No dog of your own? Offer your dog walking services to a busy friend or volunteer at an animal shelter where prospective pets always need some TLC. If you want to nix salt altogether, try this hack I'm using to make veggies taste bright and refreshing: Zest a lemon over veggies before roasting them in the oven. My favorite is spears of asparagus, but broccoli and cauliflower are great choices as well to add a little extra zing. There's nutritional value to that zest too, as lemon peel contains fiber, calcium, potassium and vitamin C — and if you enjoy the flavor so much it makes you eat more vegetables, even better! Last month I recommended making pantry sushi for an easy, convenient meal. This week, I have another lazy person's dinner hack: the ricotta plate. This was inspired by an excellent appetizer I had at a restaurant recently, and it couldn't be simpler. Just scoop a heap of ricotta onto a plate alongside roasted, seasoned-to-your-liking veggies and chickpeas and dig in. Ricotta boasts calcium and protein, and it can be sweetened with a drizzle of honey (make it hot honey if you're feeling spicy) or balsamic vinaigrette. Want to cut back on saturated fat? Go for a low-fat variety. You probably don't think much about how what's on your plate can affect the health of your nails, but you should. As Prevention wrote about this week, dark, leafy greens have plenty of iron, which your nails need to grow strong. A lack of iron in your diet can show up in your nails too: Iron deficiency can lead to brittle nails, as well as vertical ridges. Try crisping up some lightly oiled kale in the oven with nutritional yeast for a chip-like snack — nutritional yeast contains B12, which is excellent for your nails, along with your skin and hair.
Associated Press
04-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
University of Arizona Study Finds Openwater's Open-LIFU 2.0 Device Achieves Significant Depression Symptom Reduction After Less Than Two Hours Total Treatment Time
Openwater, an open-source medical technology company delivering portable, hospital-grade diagnostic and therapeutic devices, today announced compelling results from a University of Arizona study published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. The study, ' Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Targeting the Default Mode Network for the Treatment of Depression ' utilized Openwater's Open-LIFU 2.0 device to deliver targeted, low-intensity transcranial focused ultrasound pulses to the anterior medial prefrontal cortex, a critical region within the brain's default mode network implicated in persistent negative thought patterns common in depression. Following 11 brief, ten-minute sessions administered over three weeks (less than two hours of total treatment time), significant reductions in depression severity were seen in 45-60% of the 20 participants (using two widely-used assessments of depression severity). Impressively, 35% achieved clinical remission in this brief treatment modality. Unlike other ultrasound systems that rely solely on placement on the head, Open-LIFU 2.0 employs an advanced ultrasound array to precisely steer the ultrasound focus to the targeted location. Its wearable and compact design facilitates targeted transmission through the forehead directly to specific brain regions, even while the participant is moving. Traditional treatments, including medication and psychotherapy, both of which involve longer courses of treatment, leave up to 50% of patients who complete treatment without meaningful improvement, and up to one-third fail to complete treatment. In contrast, participants in this trial reported substantial decreases in repetitive negative thoughts, enhanced psychological and physical well-being, and increased environmental satisfaction following treatment with Openwater's Open-LIFU 2.0 technology, and the dropout rate was only 10%. Importantly, these outcomes were achieved without significant adverse effects, highlighting both the safety and acceptability of the therapy. 'These results provide a meaningful step forward in neuromodulation techniques for treating depression,' said Dr. John J.B. Allen, Professor of Psychology, Cognitive Science, and Neuroscience at the University of Arizona. 'We saw substantial improvements in depressive symptoms and quality of life in a shorter treatment protocol than standard treatments, suggesting the potential for transcranial ultrasound technology to offer rapid, lasting relief for individuals whose depression has resisted traditional therapies. An important unanswered question is whether a longer LIFU treatment protocol could assist those who did not completely respond during this rapid 3-week protocol.' Aaron Timm, CEO of Openwater, added: 'With over 280 million people affected by depression globally, there is an urgent need for treatments that are effective, portable, and affordable. Openwater's technology offers the potential for precise, targeted ultrasound treatment designed specifically for accessibility. We are encouraged by the results of the University of Arizona study using Openwater's technology.' Future research will include larger, randomized controlled studies to further explore the efficacy of transcranial focused ultrasound and its role in treating depression. About Openwater Openwater is a medical technology company founded by Dr. Mary Lou Jepsen to make hospital-grade care universally accessible. Backed by notable supporters including Khosla Ventures, Plum Alley, BOLD Capital Partners, Vitalik Buterin, Esther Dyson, and Peter Gabriel, Openwater employs open-source development and consumer electronics manufacturing to lower the cost and speed the delivery of non-invasive medical devices. The company collaborates with leading institutions worldwide to research, validate, and distribute these technologies, aiming to reach patients across borders and income levels. For more information, visit SOURCE: Openwater Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/04/2025 11:06 AM/DISC: 04/04/2025 11:06 AM
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to stop scrolling in bed as night-time phone use linked to insomnia
Many people are in the habit of using a screen last-thing at night. In fact, a YouGov study on sleep found that a whopping 87% of Britons look at their phone or tablet within an hour before bedtime. But if you're someone who struggles with sleep, you might want to rethink your digital evening habits, as scientists in Norway have found that in-bed screen time increases the risk of developing insomnia by 59%. The study, which surveyed around 45,000 students, found that scrolling at night can have disastrous consequences for your sleep, causing an average loss of 24 minutes of kip per night. And while it's easy to assume that lack of sleep is exclusively linked to the negative effects of social media, the study found that any kind of screen activity can disrupt sleep - whether that's reading news articles on your phone or flipping through a book on your Kindle. Commenting on their findings in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry, the Norwegian team said they "found no significant differences between social media and other screen activities." If these findings have encouraged you to set some fresh boundaries with your tech, there are a few things you can do to reset your nighttime habits. We asked a tech addiction expert to share their top tips. Science on habit formation tells us that healthy behaviours are built on repetition. Chartered psychologist Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal says that setting a consistent time to put away devices each night is one of the most effective ways to nix screen use. "Digital features on smartphones like 'Night Shift' or 'Do Not Disturb' hide distracting notifications, which can help to automate this transition,' she says. "By cutting off screens an hour before bed, you allow your brain to transition into rest mode naturally. It disrupts the dopamine-drive cycle of 'just one more scroll', encouraging your brain to associate evenings with relaxation and not stimulation." In his bestselling book Atomic Habits, habit researcher James Clear says that making bad habits less convenient can make them less appealing to our brains. "Since the mere presence of a smartphone, laptop or tablet next to your bed can exert an unconscious influence on you, it's a good idea to charge your devices in another room," says digital detox coach Colin Corby. "This creates friction, giving you time to consciously interrupt any automatic screen-based habits, like unlocking your phone and scrolling on social media. "If you need your smartphone in your bedroom for the alarm function, try placing it on the other side of the room. Keep a notepad by your bed to jot down any urgent thoughts or forgotten appointments," he adds. This way, you can drift off safe in the knowledge you'll add them to your phone calendar in the morning. When it comes to breaking deep-rooted habits, relying on sheer willpower alone can be tough. Draining the colour from your smartphone could be an effective way to wean yourself off using it. "Setting your phone to greyscale (black and white) mode dulls the visual appeal of apps, making them less enticing to your brain," says Dhuffar-Pottiwal. Both iOS and Android devices offer this function. "Over time, setting this nightly this boundary reinforces the idea that your bed is for rest, not stimulation," she notes. A 2022 study backs up this theory, reporting that undergraduate students who changed their phones to grayscale significantly reduced their screen time by an average of 37.9 minutes each day. When the urge to scroll hits, Dhuffar-Pottiwal recommends substituting it with a relaxing activity that engages your senses differently. "Try listening to a sleep meditation using a non-smart device, practicing the 4-7-8 breathing technique (inhale for four seconds, hold for seven and exhale for eight), or jotting down worries in a 'brain dump' journal,' she advises. While nighttime scrolling often starts as an well-natured attempt to unwind, it can often backfire by flooding the brain with stress-inducing content or endless dopamine loops. 'Replacement rituals fulfil the same psychological need for distraction or comfort but without the sleep-disrupting side effects,' explains Dhuffar-Pottiwal. 'For example, journalling externalises anxieties, while rhythmic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting lower cortisol levels. These activities signal to your body that it's safe to rest, paving the way for deeper, more restorative sleep.' Read more about insomnia: Why can't I sleep? (Yahoo Life UK, 8-min read) I've had insomnia since I was 18 and it's affected my whole life (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read) This Powerful Sleep Method is Helping People Beat Insomnia For Good (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rising U.S. suicide rates, linked to socioeconomic struggles, are hitting Native communities hard. Here's what's being done to help.
Suicide is an irrevocable act with implications not just for individuals but also their families and communities. It stems from intense feelings of despair and hopelessness, and when it happens, loved ones often ache to know: Why? Why did their son, daughter, sibling, friend, or colleague take their own life? However, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data has found that the reasons for taking this tragic step don't just lie with the individual; they often ripple out to societal reasons. A 2024 CDC report revealed that insurance coverage, lack of access to broadband internet, and household income—systemic factors—all contribute to higher rates of suicide. Northwell Health partnered with Stacker to analyze CDC data describing the socioeconomic factors behind suicide and highlight some of the novel efforts to combat it. Despite a small slump between 2018 and 2020, suicide rates have risen by 37% since 2000 in the United States. On average, a person dies by suicide every 11 minutes. Suicide is a preventable crisis, but a report from the Commonwealth Fund showed that the U.S. had the highest suicide rate when compared to 10 other high-income nations, despite spending more on health care. In the past two decades, suicide rates have continued to rise in all age groups. The risk for suicide is highest for people aged 25 to 64. When disaggregated by race, American Indian and Alaska Native people—followed by white people—have the highest rate of suicide. Native youth are particularly at risk. Suicide rates for this group are 2.5 times higher than the overall national average. In a systematic review published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, researchers found that young populations aged 15 to 29 living in isolated rural communities, particularly in low-income communities and single-parent households, tend to be at higher risk, calling out that suicide frequency is higher for those "native, racial and ethnic groups." The rise in suicides in the country has continued despite the launch and increased use of the federal 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2022. Even so, Lifeline continues to address the problem by rolling out greater specialized services for various populations, including LGBTQ+ people, Native communities, and older adults. What is clear from the CDC's study: local socioeconomic factors shape the effectiveness of suicide prevention efforts. Suicides are 26% lower in counties with the highest health insurance coverage, 44% lower in areas with better broadband internet access, and 13% lower in those with higher household incomes. "Improving the conditions where people are born, grow, live, work, and age is an often overlooked aspect of suicide prevention," said Alison Cammack, health scientist and lead author of the CDC report. Cammack also pointed out that localized programs "can help people avoid reaching a crisis point." According to Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Nation member Kaili Berg, writing for Native News, keeping in mind historical trauma and culturally competent care are both important considerations that health institutions should keep in mind to create suicide prevention programs for Native youth. Writing for Relias, Amanda Gibson—a critical care nurse for 15 years and a member of the Cherokee Nation—expressed that enhancing cultural competence and responsiveness is only one of many factors in improving mental health services in Native communities. Gibson further noted that the most important strategy addressing the root causes of these issues is by targeting the social, economic, political, and cultural determinants of health, which include reducing poverty, creating jobs, improving access to education, cultural preservation, and healing historical traumas. As systemic solutions continue to be identified and built out, there are a few approaches that have shown success. A study published in the journal Telemedicine and e-Health in March 2022 described how American Indian communities in Montana used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that 3 in 4 respondents agreed telehealth was effective in suicide prevention. Nearly all (98%) said telehealth was needed. The positive reception to this effort underscores the need to explore increasing investments in telehealth technologies for American Indian communities. American Indian and Alaska Native tribal areas tend to have the lowest broadband internet access in the country, according to the Census. There are ongoing government efforts to mitigate this lack of access. All 50 states, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, are working on digital equity plans to narrow the gap between those who have access and those who have not. Three grant programs that total $2.75 billion under the Digital Equity Act have been set aside for these efforts. Maine is the first state to have an approved plan by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. In February 2024, the state unveiled its Digital Equity Plan, created in consultation with 13 regional and tribal broadband partners and as many as 180 coalition institutions. Its key projects include increasing enrollment in its Affordable Connectivity Program by 84,000 households, distributing 50,000 free or low-cost computer devices, and providing digital skills training to 50,000 people—all by 2029. Increased digital access may also alleviate loneliness and social isolation, which have been linked to mental health issues. But the Navajo Nation knows suicide prevention takes more than an internet connection—having a village is just as vital. For this reason, in 2024, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren declared September Navajo Nation Recovery and Suicide Prevention Month. The nation's Division of Behavioral and Mental Health Services includes comprehensive holistic services and out-of-the-box approaches such as individual, group, and family therapy; adventure-based counseling; cultural and spiritual services; and both residential and outpatient treatment programs. The 2020 Navajo Nation Mortality Report showed that intentional self-harm for males dropped from the fifth to the sixth leading cause of death. Efforts like these could help even lower the number of lives lost. Health insurance coverage and financial stressors can also be determinants in suicide prevention. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, many states had the opportunity to expand their Medicaid eligibility for low-income adults, which 39 states adopted by 2021. Apart from improving death from diseases associated with cardiovascular diseases and cancers, increased access to health care through the program has also been found to benefit mental health, leading to fewer suicide incidents. A joint 2022 study by the Washington University School of Medicine and the Duke University School of Medicine found a lower suicide mortality rate in states that have adopted Medicaid expansion. This increased access to health care not only allowed for better access to preventative mental health services but also helped to reduce individual and family financial strain. Non-Hispanic white individuals aged 30 to 44 and individuals without a college degree showed significantly lower rates of suicide with Medicaid expansion than any other group. The same researchers also identified stricter gun laws and opioid prescribing laws as possible determinants in lowering suicide rates. Firearms were used in more than half of suicides in 2022. The top three states for gun ownership also fall within the top five states with the highest suicide rates in 2021, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. There is no single solution to suicide prevention, but research shows that when community leaders, policymakers, health care providers, and families listen to the needs of those most at risk, lives can be saved. As suicide rates continue to climb, continuing to invest in better support networks and policies is critical to find the social, technological, and systemic interventions needed to keep communities healthier—and safer. If you or someone you know are experiencing a mental health crisis or thoughts of suicide, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 for professional help. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. This story originally appeared on Northwell Health and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
