Mental Health Matters

Depression

Are Depression and Anxiety the Latest Canary in a Coal Mine?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on June 19, 2024

Rates of anxiety and depression are on the rise. Why talking about it is the solution, not the problem.

Rates of anxiety and depression are on the rise. Why talking about it is the solution, not the problem.

Diet

Why We Need to Stop Equating Thinness with Health

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on May 12, 2024

Weighing the evidence: Assessing the relationship between body weight and health.

Weighing the evidence: Assessing the relationship between body weight and health.

Neuroscience

The Upcoming Solar Eclipse Is a Natural Wonder

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on April 2, 2024

An eclipse is a rare and fascinating event. But as far as our brains are concerned, it is business as usual.

An eclipse is a rare and fascinating event. But as far as our brains are concerned, it is business as usual.

Stress

Coping With Reality Is Hard, Making It Look Easy Is Harder

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on March 18, 2024

Pretending to be perfect is a royal pain. Maybe Kate Middleton just needs a mental health break.

Pretending to be perfect is a royal pain. Maybe Kate Middleton just needs a mental health break.

Personal Perspectives

Insurance Companies Are Using AI to Process Medical Claims

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on March 1, 2024

Personal Perspective: There are a lot of things computers don't do as well as humans. Reviewing medical insurance claims may well be one of them.

Personal Perspective: There are a lot of things computers don't do as well as humans. Reviewing medical insurance claims may well be one of them.

Health

Blurring the Line Between Work and Sick Time

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on February 28, 2024

Have you jumped on a Zoom call despite feeling ill? Why merging work and sick time is hurting our health.

Have you jumped on a Zoom call despite feeling ill? Why merging work and sick time is hurting our health.

Consumer Behavior

Do You Equate Security With Material Belongings?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on January 27, 2024

A Personal Perspective: Our personal skills and social connections are just as crucial as material belongings.

A Personal Perspective: Our personal skills and social connections are just as crucial as material belongings.

Resilience

The Dark Days of the Pandemic Are Behind Us

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on December 18, 2023

Paradoxically, hardship can teach us valuable lessons. Here's how to give the lessons we learned during the pandemic a starring role in 2024.

Paradoxically, hardship can teach us valuable lessons. Here's how to give the lessons we learned during the pandemic a starring role in 2024.

We know young people are depressed and anxious. There are things we can do about it.

Education

Let's Make Education Broader, Not Higher

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on October 8, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. The case for encouraging academics to spend more time teaching outside their classrooms.

A Personal Perspective: Knowledge should be shared, not hoarded. The case for encouraging academics to spend more time teaching outside their classrooms.

Stress

Cruising to Mental Health

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on September 5, 2023

Cruises aren’t for everyone. But for some of us, they may be just what the psychologist ordered.

Cruises aren’t for everyone. But for some of us, they may be just what the psychologist ordered.

Stress

How "Errand Paralysis" Has Spread Beyond Young People

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on August 2, 2023

We all experience errand paralysis. The difference lies in what we choose to avoid.

We all experience errand paralysis. The difference lies in what we choose to avoid.

Motivation

Should We Make 4th of July Resolutions?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on July 3, 2023

A Personal Perspective: The argument for civically minded resolutions.

A Personal Perspective: The argument for civically minded resolutions.

Career

Vacation Is a State of Mind

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on May 31, 2023

We know that putting all our eggs in one basket is risky. Why do we continue to do so when it comes to planning our vacations?

We know that putting all our eggs in one basket is risky. Why do we continue to do so when it comes to planning our vacations?

Grief

Grief and Growth During the Pandemic

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on April 24, 2023

Grieving is the process of coming to terms with what you have lost. Growth occurs when we learn from the experience.

Grieving is the process of coming to terms with what you have lost. Growth occurs when we learn from the experience.

Cognition

Should We Celebrate or Mourn the End of Handwriting?

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on March 6, 2023

A Personal Perspective: Cursive writing has a long and beautiful history. But for those of us who are handwriting-cursed, computers are a lifesaver.

A Personal Perspective: Cursive writing has a long and beautiful history. But for those of us who are handwriting-cursed, computers are a lifesaver.

Memory

The George Santos Problem

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on February 1, 2023

We all forget details from our past. But apparently, George Santos forgot that he didn’t go to college.

We all forget details from our past. But apparently, George Santos forgot that he didn’t go to college.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

For a Happier New Year, Consider the Way You Think

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on January 1, 2023

If wishes were horses, we would all ride happily into the new year. Instead, we need to learn how to ride herd on our thoughts.

If wishes were horses, we would all ride happily into the new year. Instead, we need to learn how to ride herd on our thoughts.

Adolescence

Find Magic During the Holidays and the Other Days

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on December 23, 2022

Expecting a single holiday to generate enough magic to last the whole year is a gamble. Looking for magic in our daily lives might be a better bet.

Expecting a single holiday to generate enough magic to last the whole year is a gamble. Looking for magic in our daily lives might be a better bet.

Sleep

No Time, or Time to Say No? Changing Our Approach to the Holidays

Mary McNaughton-Cassill Ph.D. on November 24, 2022

"'Twas the night before the holiday and all through the house, no one was sleeping, not even the mouse." Why we need to do less to enjoy the holidays more.

"'Twas the night before the holiday and all through the house, no one was sleeping, not even the mouse." Why we need to do less to enjoy the holidays more.