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Blog

How Does the Brain Work?

Take an in-depth look at the parts of a neuron and how they communicate with each other using electrochemical signals.

Emotions and the Brain

This “Brain Break” activity facilitates a closer look at what is happening in the brain when someone is experiencing strong emotions and guides students through a short activity.

Mayo Clinic RISE for Equity Podcast

Join leading physicians, scientists and innovators from Mayo Clinic and beyond in candid conversations about what it’s going to take to transform health care for a more just, more equitable future.

Mayo Clinic RISE for Equity Podcast: Episode 1

In a health care industry where Black people are statistically more likely to develop and die from many forms of cancers compared to whites, Drs. Folakemi Odedina and Alyx Porter are working daily on initiatives to close the gap

Spooky Songs for the Soul

We’re celebrating Halloween this year with a collection of scary songs — with a Well Beings twist.

October 14, 2022 Press Release

BERKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL & THE AUSTEN RIGGS CENTER PRESENT A SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT: “SHINE THE LIGHT” A SCREENING AND CONVERSATION ABOUT YOUTH  MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUICIDE PREVENTION The event will screen the documentary Ken Burns presents  HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT, YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS, a special showing of the PSA, UP ON THE ROOF with Carole […]

Destigmatizing Mental Illness

Destigmatizing mental illness can be as simple, (though not easy) as sharing your story. These courageous young teens have stepped up to the plate to voice the concerns of their community and the impact of these challenges on their well-being.

 Hiding in Plain Sight: Medications

“Cymbalta is the one that’s like making my mood better and actually gives me energy. But I still get panic attacks.” Watch more of Billie’s’ mental health story at pbs.org/plainsight

Hiding in Plain Sight: Bipolar

Amethyst describes what it’s like to be bipolar. Learn more about Amethyst’s mental health story at pbs.org/plainsight

Hiding in Plain Sight: Addiction Crisis

Now Streaming on PBS Passport Addiction Crisis The US is in an ongoing crisis. Young people all across the country have been swept into addiction, with 50% of teens saying that they’ve misused a drug at least once. Learn more at pbs.org/plainsight This four-part, eight hour series follows the journeys of more than 20 young […]

Hiding in Plain Sight: Self-Harm

Leah and Billie share their experiences with self harm in “Ken Burns Presents Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness,” On demand now on PBS.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Anxiety

At a young age Anna’s parents divorced and Anna still struggles with separation #anxiety from her mother. “I track her on my phone. I’ve just got to know where she is at all times.”

My Relationship with Self Doubt

Feelings of anxiety can be tough to sort out alone. Jesse Martin shares a light-hearted look at his experiences with these challenges.

Finding Inner Peace

Finding inner peace is an important part of mental health, especially with all the noise going on in the world today. Writer and actor Jesse Martin takes a comedic look at finding this peace.

The Cycle of Change

Changing our behavior is hard. But it gets easier when we can see the cycle, because once we see it we can use it, rather than it using us.

The Best of NAMICon 2022

Watch highlights from NAMICon 2022, featuring a discussion between Ken Burns and members of NAMI’s Next Gen young adult advisory group.

Vulnerability = Connectivity

Filmmaker Richard Cannon, part of the Rooted & Rising collective, drops a truth bomb on us with his formula for self-care: vulnerability = connectivity.

The Seven Pillars of Wellness

Music producer Princeton Brown walks you through his seven pillars of wellness and discusses the importance of finding a balance with each.

Give Yourself A Hug

Isn’t great when a friend gives you that hug you didn’t even know you needed? Do that for yourself. Take a moment and a few breaths to let yourself know that you are taking care of yourself.

NBA Player’s Mom Speaks Out About Family Loss

Kate Okongwu, mother of NBA Atlanta Hawks player Onyeka Okongwu, is sharing her family’s past experience of loss to connect with those experiencing grief now. When Onyeka was 13 years old, his older brother Nnamdi died suddenly.

Black Gay Thirty: Kyle

Kyle discusses his journey to thirty and the trials, the tribulations and the trauma which led him to find self care as a drag queen.

Black Gay Thirty: Chris

In Episode One, Xavier sits down with Chris to discusses his anxieties, his self-care (or lack thereof) and what his hopes are as he leaves the purgatory of age 29 and heads into his 30s.

A Mother & Daughter’s Testimony of Building Bridges

Growing up in the streets of San Diego, Samira grew up in a culture of stress, violence, and gang warfare. It was normalized, she states, to be part of a gang and it cycled through generations of people who would be born into that way of living. “There were only two outcomes if you stay in that lifestyle – death or prison.” According to a recent report by the CDC, gun violence is the leading cause of death amongst youth, and per a recent report in JAMA Pediatrics, 62% of these youth deaths occur in impoverished counties.

How Do I Start a Conversation about Mental Health?

Speaking up can be hard. Matt and Faiza talk to guests about what mental health is and how to open up about our emotions and experiences. Check out Well Being’s Mental Health Language Guide for more resources.

The Importance of Feeling Seen

Alonzo discusses the hardships he faced as a child who didn’t quite “fit in,” and how he felt seen for the first time at a talent show.

May 10, 2022 PRESS RELEASE

NowThis will highlight youth mental health issues utilizing content from the upcoming PBS documentary, HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS, which premieres in June and is executive produced by Ken Burns, directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers and produced by WETA Washington, D.C. 

Allow Yourself to Feel Emotions

Alonzo explains the importance of introspection, and allowing oneself to embrace and feel emotions in order to be fully present and less-inhibited.

“Black Boy Destiny” – Alonzo

Alonzo’s uplifting single, “Black Boy Destiny,” was written to inspire all young black men to rise against the odds and fight for their dreams.

Stretching Self-Care

Rooted & Rising’s Vaughn Dabney soulfully practices self-care from his mobile home (van).

Be Better. Eat Better 

We should all be trying to take steps to eat healthier. Your body will feel better, your mind will be clearer, and you’ll probably have a fun time experimenting with some new recipes.

Finding Healing For Mental Illness

Dr. Insel offers a comprehensive plan for what he describes as “our failing system,” in a plan for families trying to discern the way forward.

Student Support Networks

Ashtyn Robertson discusses how to find a support network when students are struggling with their mental health.

Youth Homelessness

Homelessness has been on the rise during the pandemic and can be noted as much more visible in many urban areas. The unfortunate collateral damage of the pandemic has caused many to be in this circumstance, including many young people under the age of 24. Even before the pandemic 1 in 10 young people ages 18-24 experienced homelessness.

MARCH 2, 2022 PRESS RELEASE

WETA Washington, D.C., the flagship public media station in the nation’s capital, announced today that KEN BURNS PRESENTS HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: YOUTH MENTAL ILLNESS A FILM BY ERIK EWERS AND CHRISTOPHER LOREN EWERS, a documentary about the mental health crisis among youth in America, will premiere on PBS stations nationwide on June 27 and 28, 2022 at 9:00 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video app.

Michael Pollock, CEO of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance

PBS Newshour Student Reporter Alexandra Malan talks to Michael Pollock, CEO of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance about youth mental health as part of the Well Beings Tour. Michael Pollock, CEO of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance PBS Newshour Student Reporter Alexandra Malan talks to Michael Pollock, CEO of the Depression and Bipolar […]

Mom & Daughter Talk Mental Health

Part of the Hiding in Plain Sight blog series Written by Kee Dunning, author & psychotherapist providing crisis intervention February 24, 2022 / Forbes Talking to others about your mental health isn’t an easy feat, especially if that person is your parent. Zion Williams, a high school student and Season 1 host of PBS NewsHour Student Reporting […]

8 1/2 Songs About Forgiveness

A playlist of songs about mistakes and forgiveness — whether forgiving others, or practicing a little self-care and forgiving yourself.

Autism, Hope & Resilience

My kids tell people what their life is like and what they wished other people knew about what it is like to have a mental struggle. A lack of understanding is a common theme. For a client with autism, this is especially true. What is autism? Autism is a disorder characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and often non-verbal communication. Autism occurs on a spectrum thus it has a variety of presentations.

Living a Full & Productive Life with Schizophrenia

Brandon was 18 years old when he experienced his first episode of psychosis. “At first, I didn’t want to take medication. I didn’t want to engage in treatment. I didn’t want to admit that I had this serious mental illness, but my family’s unconditional love helped me to get to a place where I could accept it, and that acceptance has made a huge difference in my ability to move on and do things that I care about in my life.”

Voices from New Mexico

Hispanic men reflect on challenges in accessing mental health support that are unique to their community in rural New Mexico.

Working Together as a Community

Jordan Herrera stresses the duty of faculty members to refer students impacted by mental health to community colleges’ social services. 

The Importance of Destigmatization

Dr. Alexander Tsai identifies the impact of a supportive environment, which has historically led to increased ease to seek treatment. 

The Pressures of Modern Students

Dr. Vivek Murthy emphasizes stressors such as financial troubles that can further affect the mental health of community college students.

Reaching Out Helps

Paula Stafford explains the professional resources people can utilize.

Substance Use Risk Adds to Legal & Behavioral Health Issues In Rural New Mexico

Remote Chance: Health Care in Rural America, a digital-first series of short films by award-winning filmmaker Elizabeth Arledge, made possible by the National Alliance on Mental Illness and The Annette Harkins Family Trust Substance Use Risk Adds to Legal & Behavioral Health Issues In Rural New Mexico’s Hispanic Men Young Hispanic men in rural New […]

Living Beyond the Screen

Social media can negatively affect the self-worth of teens. Dr. Linda Nicolotti recommends family time to fight this impact.

Trusting Your Gut Feelings

The best action in a risky situation is to have a plan beforehand. Dr. Dawn O’Malley details the importance of preparation.

WellBeings.org is a mental health resource, not a crisis or suicide response website. If you are in crisis, or experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. The service is free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.