APA Blogs
217 Results
Mindfulness as a Performance Tool: The Science of Attention, Control, and Cognitive Excellence
- By Brook Choulet, M.D.
Today, people are expected to perform at a high level in every area of life—as parents, physicians, friends, family, athletes, etc. There often isn’t protected time in our calendars for rest and recovery due to the constant expectations placed on individuals, which heightens stress and pressure for many. The elite performers in today’s world have recognized a tool that allows them to engage in intentional recovery while also achieving higher performance in life: mindfulness.
Bridging the Frameworks: How Commercial Determinants Shape the Social Determinants of Mental Health
Mental health equity has often been defined through the lens of the social determinants of health (SDOH), which are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, such as housing, food security, education, social support and health care access . Emerging research on the commercial determinants of health has explored how commercial forces, like private corporations, can affect health, configure risk, and normalize inequity . The commercial determinants of health amplify social determinants, as commercial actors seek to influence political, marketing, supply chain, waste, labor, employment, and scientific sectors2.
Beyond Symptoms: How Spirituality Shapes Mental Health Journeys
Most Americans identify as religious, spiritual, or both. Yet when it comes to mental health care, especially for serious conditions like psychosis, religion and spirituality are often not considered. A new study in Psychiatric Services suggests that for people facing mental health challenges, religion and spirituality are often central to how they understand symptoms, seek help, and engage with treatment.
How to Overcome Challenges to Getting Insurance Coverage for Mental Health Care
Insurance coverage for mental health care can be challenging – it can be difficult to find mental health clinicians accepting new patients, claims may be denied, or other obstacles can come up. Despite regulations requiring equal treatment of mental health and medical care, many people seeking mental health care continue to face insurance-related barriers.
The House Always Wins: Learning to Overcome Problem Gambling
Prior to COVID-19, Kavita Fischer, M.D., occasionally enjoyed visiting casinos to socialize, see live music performances, and play interactive games. Like many Americans, she felt lonely during the pandemic, and while in quarantine, she turned to gambling apps, playing a live online version of table games and spending $100 over the course of a month. She soon found herself playing for longer and longer stretches and being lured to play other games by ads that promised bonuses and free spins. She fell into the habit of using apps to gamble.