Today is Good Friday, a solemn Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion, suffering, and death of Jesus Christ, observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. It is a day of fasting, prayer, and penance for many, particularly Catholic and Orthodox believers, who often abstain from eating meat.

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The Chicago Bulls recently waived Jadey Ivey after a series of controversial social media posts, including anti-LGBTQ comments and religious rants, which the team called “conduct detrimental.” Beyond the headlines, the situation has sparked concern about Ivey’s well-being, as he has previously spoken about struggles with depression and personal challenges, compounded by injuries and career setbacks. 

Coaches and league voices emphasized the importance of mental health support for athletes, noting that players may be dealing with issues behind the scenes that aren’t always visible. The story sits at the intersection of mental health, accountability, and the intense pressure of professional sports — where personal struggles can quickly become public crises.

Read More: Bulls waive Jaden Ivey after anti-religion, LGBTQ rants as mental health concerns emerge (Yahoo!Sports)

Gen Z has a new “vice” — and it’s not what you think. The viral trend of “fridge cigarettes” is basically grabbing an ice-cold Diet Coke as a stand-in for a smoke break, offering a quick mood boost and moment to reset during a stressful day. 

Experts say the appeal isn’t really about the drink — it’s about the ritual: cracking the can, taking a pause, and getting that small hit of relief your brain craves. But while it’s definitely safer than smoking, relying on any habit for emotional relief can still create dependency patterns tied to dopamine and stress coping.

Read More: Fridge Cigarettes’ Are Taking Over—Here’s The Gen Z Logic Behind The Drink Trend (Yahoo!Life)

A new study is flipping the script on mental health and fitness, suggesting that stronger women may be less likely to experience depression. Researchers found that muscle strength — especially grip strength — was more closely linked to lower depression risk than cardio fitness, highlighting the mental health power of strength training. 

The idea is that building physical strength may boost confidence, resilience, and overall brain health in ways we’re just starting to understand. And the best part? You don’t need extreme workouts — even moderate strength gains can make a difference.

Read More: Stronger Women May Be Less Likely To Have Depression (AOL)

MYTH: Mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, marriage and family counselors, etc.) make a ton of money off of people suffering from disorders.

FACT: At one time in the past, this was true. But no longer. Due to the vast expansion of managed care into the mental health field over the past 6 to 7 years, mental health care is often the lowest paying, longest work day healthcare profession. Most behavioral healthcare and related professionals work in this area because they want to, not because of the pay. It is well-documented that psychiatrists are often the lowest-paid physician specialty field.

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