In our blog last week, FirstLantic discussed the issue of depression in men and the reasons why many are not getting treated. We also provided a list of resources available to help those that are struggling to find help. Although our last blog discussed some of the most debilitating aspects of mental illness, there is no doubt that many of us suffer from some sort of anxiety or stress. It may not be as life-threatening as severe depression that can literally take your life, but it can still be painful and make you feel incredibly alone.

 

If you are experiencing some of these issues, you might benefit from a “safe space” — somewhere where you can go (at your leisure) to hear from experts or other people that have similar challenges. That’s why we’re devoting this blog to some of the most interesting podcasts that focus on mental wellness. Some are purely informational whereas other ones add some humor and entertainment to the topic. However, whichever one you choose, it’s a great way to join a conversation that many of us are too afraid to broach with family or friends. So, put on your headset and start listening.

 

Duff the Psych

 

Known as The Hardcore Self Help Podcast psychologist Robert Duff focuses on various types of anxiety, trauma, as well as depression. He covers each topic in an approachable way that doesn’t feel “preachy.” His philosophy is that when people are already struggling with emotional difficulties, the last thing they need is psychobabble. He aims to take complex psychological issues and break them down into plain language through fielding mental health questions from his audience and interviewing interesting guests.

 

The Hilarious World of Depression

 

Created by public radio host John Moe, his podcast is described as a series of “frank, moving and funny conversations with top comedians who have dealt with depression”. One of their main goals is to destigmatize depression by talking about it in the open and getting the perspectives of some iconic comics that have dealt with it such as Maria Bamford, Paul F. Tompkins, Andy Richter, and Jen Kirkman.

 

Ten Percent Happier

 

The host of this podcast is Dan Harris who describes himself as a “fidgety, skeptical ABC newsman” who had a panic attack live on Good Morning America. After this wake-up call, he realized that he was struggling with burnout, stress, and negative self-talk and he went on a quest to try to do something about it. He wrote a book with the same name and started his podcast with the mission of figuring out exactly what is happiness and how do you get there?

 

The Mental Illness Happy Hour

 

This is another show that brings humor into the discussion of some serious topics such as addiction, negative thinking, and trauma. Hosted by comedian Paul Gilmartin, he interviews other comedians, actors, and doctors on everything from narcissism to how social media might be affecting our well-being.

 

Terrible, thanks for asking

 

Hosted by Nora McInerny, this podcast talks openly about uncomfortable topics like sadness, grief, and loneliness. Widowed at a young age, she initially wrote about her husband’s illness, subsequent death, and her feelings of grief on her blog “My Husband’s Tumor”, which had 200,000 followers. McInerny also published a memoir entitled It’s Okay to Laugh (Crying Is Cool Too) and has since written two other books about loss and grief. Her podcast can be raw at times and can quickly go from being funny to sad to uncomfortable. However, real-life is also messy and she’s not afraid to tackle important topics that may make you squirm just a bit.

 

Summary

 

In summary, one of the biggest issues about anxiety or stress or any of the other topics that are covered by these podcasts is that many of us are afraid to ask for help. We tell ourselves that “maybe we just need to get on with it”, “you’re feeling sorry for yourself”, or “it will go away on its’ own.” If we had cancer, would most of us choose to actively seek treatment or just see what happens? Mental illness is just as real as any other type of illness and it needs to be treated as such. No one feels stigmatized because they have a broken arm and need a doctor. Let’s start treating mental health the same way and start making our mental well-being our top priority.