❤ Happy Friday! Hope you are wearing RED today!

Welcome to The Mental Minute where our goal is to make mental health an everyday conversation. Take a few minutes to enjoy today’s news, tips, key resources and product reviews.

Today, Friday, February 6, 2026, is National Wear Red Day, a vital initiative by the American Heart Association to raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women. Wear red to support women's heart health, promote prevention, and join the Go Red for Women movement.

In recent coverage, experts are talking about how the U.S. is trying to revolutionize mental health emergency response by shifting some calls away from traditional police responses toward trained mental health professionals through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and mobile crisis teams. Instead of dialing 911 and automatically getting law enforcement — which many people don’t want or need — 988 connects callers to crisis counselors who can listen, de-escalate, and help link them with ongoing care or send out mobile crisis teams of trained clinicians when in-person support is needed.

This model — inspired by programs like CAHOOTS and similar co-response efforts — focuses on empathy, safety, and reducing harmful outcomes that can happen when police are the first responders. While 988 is still building infrastructure and coordination with 911 systems across communities, it shows a growing push toward care-centered responses that meet people in emotional distress where they are.

Read More: They Help Police With Mental Health Calls. So Why Are 'Mobile Crisis' Teams In Crisis? (NPR)

There’s a major legal and cultural debate right now about whether big social media companies like Meta, TikTok, Snap, and YouTube should be held legally responsible for teens’ rising mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and addictive scrolling patterns. Lawsuits in both state and federal courts argue these platforms deliberately designed addictive features (like endless feeds and constant notifications) that keep young people hooked and can contribute to mental health harms.

The tech companies push back, saying mental health issues are complex and can’t be blamed on social media alone, and point to tools they’ve added to try to improve safety. Still, parents, advocates, and some lawmakers are pushing for accountability and regulation — and these court cases could shape how platforms are built in the future and how companies protect young users.

Read More: Should Social Media Companies Be Held Responsible for Teens’ Mental Health Struggles? (NY Times)

As the 2026 Winter Olympics kick off, Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn is drawing attention not just for her athletic skill but for being open about her mental health journey, including past struggles with anxiety, burnout, and taking time off to heal before returning stronger. After years of ups and downs — from a mental health crisis as a teen to building resilience and winning multiple national titles — she’s become a powerful voice showing how mental well-being can coexist with elite competition.

Commentators highlight her honesty about what it takes to stay balanced under pressure, and she’s even inspired fans with Pride flags and courage to be her true self on the ice. This shift reflects a bigger trend at the Olympics where athletes are accessing real mental health resources, speaking up about emotional stress, and redefining success beyond medals.

Read More: Mental Health At Olympics Is Taken Seriously, But It Wasn't Always (USA Today)

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