The Ever Increasing Population of Podcasts
Have you ever noticed that when you listen to a podcast, you are likely to hear ads for other podcasts? If you like this podcast, they suggest, you’ll like this one, too. And this one. And maybe this one.
It is difficult to stay current with any one podcast, and so these ads can be both annoying and overwhelming (though in a clever twist, one podcast runs ads that say, “Caught up with [Popular Podcast]? Neither are we,” and then proceeds to suggest something new to listen to anyway). You can’t listen to every podcast, obviously—even when the ads make them sound enticing.
That is true of podcasts generally, and it is true of podcasts that specifically address mental health disorders and related issues. There are a lot to choose from, and we can’t possibly delve into all of them here. Still, we do want to offer a few suggestions for you to consider if you are in the market for your next listen.
But First, an Important Note
We want to be clear here: Listening to podcasts (no matter how good or how relevant they are) is not a substitute for seeking out quality mental health care. Instead, podcasts like the ones listed below can be a good addition to your ongoing efforts to maintain better mental health over time. We are confident that the hosts of these programs would encourage you to pursue treatment as well.
Some Podcast Possibilities
Here are some podcasts related to mental health issues that you may find appealing and helpful.
The Hilarious World of Depression
Sometimes, a little laughter goes a long way. And this podcast features conversations with comedians talking about their own challenges with depression. It’s relatable and funny while still taking depression seriously. As an added bonus, they stopped making new episodes in 2020, so you could, in fact, actually start and finish this podcast—an experience that is pretty rare.
The Depression Files
This podcast focuses on men’s experience of depression with an eye on offering support and education while reducing stigma that often accompanies mental health disorders. The host, Al Levin, has himself battled major depressive disorder, and he is committed to helping other men experiencing similar difficulties.
Happier with Gretchen Rubin
Bestselling author and speaker Gretchen Rubin is probably best known for her book The Happiness Project. She hosts this podcast with her sister Elizabeth Craft, and together they explore happiness, creativity, productivity, and health. Rubin is something of a cultural phenomenon, and this podcast demonstrates why her thoughts about happiness resonate with so many people.
The Positive Psychology Podcast
This long-running podcast delves deeply into the various aspects of positive psychology—an approach to psychology that encourages a focus on the positive and a de-emphasis of the negative when it comes to thinking about our lives. There are plenty of angles and ideas to explore when it comes to positive psychology, so this podcast gives you the opportunity to get a sense of the many different ways you might adapt this positivity-soaked approach to your life.
Shrink Rap Radio
If you have an interest in the history of psychology, some of its leading lights, and ongoing advances, this podcast may be for you. Listening to this program may go some way toward demystifying psychology, which can be helpful for those who want to have a better understanding of the kinds of treatment they may be experiencing. Plus, this podcast has our vote for the cleverest name on this list.
The Daily Meditation Podcast
If mindfulness is part of your approach to strengthening your mental health, this podcast might be just what you need. Each episode is a different guided meditation—generally around 10 minutes long—and often a particular concept is explored over several days. The podcast is intended for everyone, whether they have been meditating for a long time, are just starting out, or are somewhere in between.
Listen, We Are Ready to Talk About Your Mental Health
Whether you are dealing with depression, anxiety, a trauma-based disorder, or another mental health issue, you can get the help you need at Johnstown Heights Behavioral Health. We bring expertise, experience, evidence-based practices, compassion, and personalization to the table. We will listen to you because we recognize that every person is a unique individual experiencing situations and issues specific to them.
