Ever catch yourself listening to your favorite playlist just to feel understood, but soon get tired of hearing the same songs on repeat? Or maybe you’re trying to understand the mental illness you, your significant other or best friend lives with, but the endless articles are becoming monotonous. Perhaps it’s time to dive into the world of mental health podcasts.
Podcasts on anxiety and depression can act as a support system when you listen to the lived experiences of people who are going through what you or your loved one is going through. It can be helpful for mental health to listen to people speaking openly and honestly about their own experiences. Our therapists in Delray Beach are here to share more about the best podcasts on mental health.
The Top Mental Health Podcasts of 2021
Therapy for Black Girls
Therapy for Black Girls, hosted by Joy Harden Bradford, is an inspiring podcast covering important issues including mental health, personal development, and all the daily decisions we make in our lives to build a better life for ourselves. If you’re looking for a mental health podcast with new content every week, you’re in luck! Episodes are released on a weekly basis and range from 30-60 minutes, which is perfect for tuning in during a workout or during a longer commute home from work.
Each week, Therapy for Black Girls discusses a variety of concepts including the healing benefits of crystals, different mental illnesses, the importance of self compassion, and affirming your queer identity to more nonconventional topics such as consensual non-monogamy. All genders or racial identities can find value in the episodes.
Mental Illness Happy Hour
In 2011, comedian Paul Gilmartin debuted his Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast, where he interviews comedians, artists, friends, and, once in a while, a medical professional to tackle the conversation on mental health. Since many of the interviews are with people who have faced mental illness first hand, it feels more like a relatable discussion compared to simply reading an article or listening strictly to medical professionals who may have never experienced the disorders and illnesses discussed.
Conversations held on Mental Illness Happy Hour range in topics from mental illness and trauma to addiction and negative thinking, which are common struggles many individuals face, including Gilmartin himself. Episodes range from 60 minutes to 2 hours, but the engaging conversations make mental illness relatable.
The Happiness Lab
Harvard PhD graduate and current Yale professor Dr. Laurie Santos began her mental health podcast, The Happiness Lab, after her incredible success teaching a psychology class about the science of happiness. Entering the podcast scene in the summer of 2019, Dr. Santos has released over 50 episodes on the definition of happiness, how we can achieve it, and what it may not be.
In one of Santos’ episodes in early 2021, she sparks a conversation with Tara Brach on the importance of living in the moment and how recognizing and nurturing each moment and emotion can lead to our ultimate decision about what brings us true happiness. In other episodes, she goes back to ancient history and how certain philosophers, such as Aristotle and Plato, viewed happiness and how to achieve it. Explore these 30 minute sessions to delve into happiness.
The Hilarious World of Depression
Comedian John Moe provides a refreshing look at depression and how laughing through it may actually help. Easier said than done, we know. But if you’re looking for a more light-hearted mental health podcast that still discusses the reality and severity of clinical depression, check out The Hilarious World of Depression.
Join Moe and his crew of comedians as they chat about how they live with and laugh their way through what can be a debilitating disease. As each episode is around 45 minutes, it’s a great podcast to start in the morning and finish as you’re wrapping up for the day and heading to bed. While some podcasts cover more light-hearted material such as which movies accurately portray depression, others bring to light more serious conversations such as how checking up on a friend who you’ve noticed has been more withdrawn recently can be instrumental in making them feel valued.
We hope you find as much guidance in these best podcasts on mental health as we do. After listening, do you or a loved one feel you may need a little more one-on-one guidance or help navigating your mental health? We’re here for you and are on standby. Please contact us today to connect to one of our therapists.