If you have read some of our previous blogs, or have explored our website, you know that 80% of the money raised through our hikes provides grants that support scientific research in all areas of mental illness. We work through the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and their outstanding NARSAD grants program to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. One of the many ways that the grants and research findings are shared is through the foundation’s Healthy Minds series. According to the foundation’s website:
Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein aims to remove the stigma of mental illness and demonstrate that with help, there is hope. The series focuses on common psychiatric conditions through inspiring personal stories, as well as experts sharing cutting edge information, including new approaches and next-generation therapies in diagnostics, treatment and research.
The ninth season (yes, 9!) was released in May of 2024. The season includes 12 half-hour episodes. The videos span many topics including an update on COVID and mental health, mental health and homelessness, PTSD in children and adolescents, and diagnosis and treatment for subtypes of depression. In addition, season nine has episodes on prenatal choline and brain health, treatment of early psychosis, ADHD, anxiety in youth, opportunities for people with neurodiversity, and a few others. Some of the wonderful guests that Dr. Borenstein interviews include family members of individuals with mental illness, the scientists that conducted the research studies, mental health professionals, and even a chairman of the board of an academic institute. The videos provide a wealth of information in a short period of time.
Season 9 is available nationally on PBS.org. You can also see if it is airing in your area by looking up Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein on your local PBS station or visiting www.bbrfoundation.org/healthy-minds-tv. The same website also has the previous eight seasons available for you to view. Whether you are looking for information about a specific mental health disorder, new treatments for a certain disorder, mental health in various populations, or organizations supporting mental health, Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein is a great place to start!
Meet the Scientist
If the Healthy Mind videos have you craving for more, consider watching the foundation’s Meet the Scientist webinars. This monthly webinar series offers the latest research from scientists and experts in the field of brain and behavior research. The webinars focus on many topics, including addiction, anxiety, ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, OCD, PTSD, and schizophrenia. You can watch any of the previous webinars on demand or register to watch an upcoming webinar here.
International Mental Health Research Symposium
Also, the foundation held its 2024 International Mental Health Research Symposium this past October. Each presentation is now available on their website. Topics include identifying risk factors for psychosis, understanding symptoms in psychosis, breakthrough therapies for mood disorders, and child psychiatry and early social development, and more.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation does amazing work by providing grants that allow for and support the research and scientific advancement of mental health treatment. The three resources above, Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, Meet the Scientist, and the 2024 International Mental Health Research Symposium are easy to access resources devoted to explaining and providing more information to the general public about the advances in mental health. If you are interested in learning more, please click on the links listed above.
Support
If you are interested in supporting the foundation’s work, consider sponsoring or creating a HIKE for Mental Health hike. You can find out how to do either here. You can also make a direct donation on our website, or donate directly to the foundation here. The support is greatly appreciated!!