Mental Health Matters - July 2025 Edition

As we continue through the year, it’s important to pause and check in with ourselves and those around us. Mental health is a vital part of our overall well-being. In fact, it's as essential as our physical health. Whether you’re thriving, surviving, or somewhere in between, you are not alone.

Let’s take a moment to review why mental health matters, where to find help, new resources available in 2025, and how we can support each other.

1 in 4 people worldwide experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

1 in 4 people worldwide experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

 Important Mental Health Facts

  • 1 in 4 people worldwide experience a mental health condition at some point in their lives.

  • Anxiety disorders remain the most common mental health concern globally in 2025, followed by depression.

  • Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, background, or income.

  • Early intervention, compassionate support, and accessible resources greatly improve recovery and resilience.

  • Mental health and physical health are deeply connected — chronic stress and untreated anxiety can increase risks for heart disease, weakened immune systems, and more.

  • Suicide remains a leading cause of death among young people and middle-aged adults, but it is preventable with timely care and connection.

Professional support makes a difference. 

Professional support makes a difference. 

Where to Get Help

Professional support makes a difference. If you or someone you know needs help, here’s where to start:

National Options:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

  •  Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

  •  National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or visit www.nami.org

  •  SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (for mental health and substance use services)

Local Options:

  • Chicago Department of Public Health: 312.747.1020

  •  NAMI Chicago Helpline: 833-NAMI-CHI (626-4244)

  •  Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Contact your HR department for confidential counseling options

Helpful Mental Health Apps (2025 Picks)

Check your phone platform’s online store for these useful apps.

  • CalmMind 2025: Guided meditations, sleep support, and anxiety-reducing practices.

  • MoodMission: Evidence-based activities to boost your mood and manage stress.

  • Sanvello: On-demand cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) tools and mental health tracking.

  • BetterHelp: Secure online therapy with licensed counselors.

  • MindDoc: Mental health screening and mood journaling app with tailored insights.

Medical Updates: What to Know in 2025

  • Virtual mental health care access is expanding: Teletherapy and telepsychiatry are now covered by more insurance plans nationwide.

  • New digital cognitive behavioral therapy (dCBT) programs are being integrated into primary care practices for depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

  • Ongoing research highlights the benefits of nature exposure, community connection, and trauma-informed care models for improving mental health outcomes.

  • Updated guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommend incorporating mindfulness-based interventions alongside medication for mood and anxiety disorders.

  • Emerging studies show promising results for psychedelic-assisted therapies (like psilocybin and MDMA) under clinical supervision for treatment-resistant PTSD and major depression — though these are still tightly regulated and not widely available.

 Crisis and Emergency Numbers

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988

  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

  • SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788

  • Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1

  • Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

  • Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): Call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678678

It’s okay to ask for help, to need rest, or to feel overwhelmed. You matter. And someone is always ready to listen.

It’s okay to ask for help, to need rest, or to feel overwhelmed. You matter. And someone is always ready to listen.

Final Thoughts

Mental health is health. It’s okay to ask for help, to need rest, or to feel overwhelmed. You matter. And someone is always ready to listen.

As a community, let’s:

  • Check in on each other.

  • Practice kindness and patience.

  • Normalize conversations about mental health.

  • Advocate for better access to care.

Together, we can reduce stigma and build a world where mental health support is a right, not a privilege.

If you’re struggling today, you don’t have to face it alone. Help is here. You are valued, you are loved, and you are worthy of healing.

With care and hope,

Dr. Denise Frer
Duke University Health and Wellness Coach

 

 

 

 

Dr. Denise Frer