Happy Monday! Today is National Sober Day.
Founded in 2019, National Sober Day was created by “Real Aligned Women,” a community group focused on sobriety. It was created to honor people in recovery, break the stigma of addiction, and raise awareness about the benefits of living a sober life.
The day is widely endorsed and supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and takes place during September, which is recognized as National Recovery Month.
Today we should acknowledge the hard work and courage it takes to maintain sobriety, remind individuals struggling with substance abuse that they are supported and not alone, and encourage open, compassionate conversations about addiction and mental health.
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🗞 In The News
Credit: OK! Health | Mega
🗞 Dolly Parton Once Said She Considered Suicide But Conquered Depression. Dolly Parton’s story is a powerful reminder that depression can affect people even when their lives look successful from the outside. In a resurfaced interview, Parton spoke about experiencing a severe period of depression during the 1980s, when personal and professional challenges left her emotionally overwhelmed; she later described finding a way through that difficult period and rebuilding her life and career. Read more at OK! Health
🗞 There’s a surprisingly simple reason for England’s high antidepressant use: lots of people need them. An article in The Guardian challenges the idea that England’s record level of antidepressant use automatically means doctors are overprescribing medication. It points to a much bigger picture: depression and anxiety increased significantly after the pandemic, antidepressant use is highest in some of the country’s most deprived areas, and access to alternatives such as talking therapies can be limited by long waiting lists. The author argues that the rise in prescriptions may reflect a genuine increase in people needing mental-health support rather than doctors simply handing out medication. Read more at The Guardian
🗞 Why are Americans so tired? CDC report highlights who’s feeling it most. The NBC News article looks at new CDC data showing that fatigue is common among U.S. adults, with women reporting fatigue-related symptoms more often than men. The story puts that exhaustion in a broader health context: persistent fatigue can be connected to sleep, stress, mental health, physical health conditions and the demands of everyday life, so it shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as simply being “tired.” Read more at NBC News
🗞 Psychiatrists Disagree On Diagnosis Nearly As Often As They Agree. A recent international study reveals that psychiatrists agree on a mental health diagnosis in only 55% of cases. This high rate of disagreement is driven by overlapping symptoms and complex clinical presentations. Consequently, this diagnostic variance can lead to unstable patient treatment plans and serious challenges in clinical research. Read more at U.S. News
💬 Stats and Facts
🆘 Help for All
Mental Health: In Crisis? Call or Text 988
Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 and press ‘1’ or Text 838255
Youth Helpline: 2NDFLOOR - (888) 222-2228
National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255)
Addiction: Start Your Recovery - (800) 662-4357
🫶 Better Me
Credit: CNN | Getty Images
You Love Working From Home. It May Be Taking A Toll On Your Mental Health. The work-from-home lifestyle can be a real win for mental health, but it can also quietly blur the boundaries that help us stay well. A CNN article explores how remote work can reduce commuting stress and increase flexibility while also contributing to less movement, social isolation, and difficulty separating “work mode” from personal life. From a mental-health perspective, the issue isn’t whether working from home is inherently good or bad—it’s whether we’re intentionally creating boundaries and routines that protect our wellbeing. Read More at CNN.com
✏ Myth or Fact
Question: People with strong support networks don’t need therapy.
Answer: Therapists provide a different level of support than friends or family. Both contribute to positive mental health, but in different ways. Professional mental health support is:
Confidential – People often feel more at ease opening up to a mental health professional because they are bound by privacy laws.
Objective – The therapist’s role is to listen attentively and offer tools and strategies to help you feel better. There is no risk of them judging you, taking sides or using information against you.
Skilled – Counselors, therapists and mental health coaches have specialized training and tailor treatment to your needs. Many use therapies that have been proven effective in research.
📞 Share the Health
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Thanks, and Be Well.
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