Happy Monday!
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.
🗞 In The News
Credit: People Magazine
Donovan Joshua Leigh Metayer, a 26-year-old survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, has died by suicide after years of struggling with his mental health. Metayer survived one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history, but the trauma from that day — along with a long battle with schizophrenia — deeply affected his life and emotional well-being.
In the years since, he faced depression, guilt, isolation, and multiple hospitalizations, even as he worked toward independence and earned an IT certificate. Tragically, after a protective order that prevented him from accessing firearms lapsed, he used a handgun to take his own life.
His family is honoring his memory by raising funds for a mental health fund to help others facing similar challenges and raising awareness about the lingering impact of trauma and the urgent need for accessible support. This heartbreaking story reminds us that surviving trauma doesn’t end with the event — healing is complex, and reaching out for help matters deeply.
Read More: Parkland School Shooting Survivor Dies by Suicide at Age 26 (People)
Credit: The Times Of India
Actress Kate Winslet says becoming a mom at a young age literally changed her life and helped protect her mental health after the intense fame and scrutiny she experienced following Titanic. She told a podcast that caring for her first child grounded her in “real life” when the paparazzi, negative media, and pressure made everyday life feel overwhelming. Winslet explained that being a parent gave her purpose and perspective, letting her tune out the noise and focus on what truly mattered.
The public attention after Titanic left her self-critical and often distressed, but her kids helped her stay centered and sane. Now at 50, she credits motherhood with giving her balance and emotional strength through the ups and downs of fame. Her story is a powerful reminder that connection and meaning — not just success — can be a huge boost to mental well-being.
Read More: Kate Winslet On How Motherhood Completely Changed Her Life; Says It Saved Her Mental Health After ‘Titanic’. (Times of India)
94%
According to a poll of California teens and young adults, 94% of Gen Z youth report experiencing mental health challenges in an average month. The BlueSky Youth Mental Health Survey polled 750 California youths, ages 14 to 25, from urban and rural communities across the state about their mental health challenges and how they access and navigate support. The data shows youth are deeply affected by the world around them, from climate anxiety and safety to social media pressures.
📖 What’s The Meaning
Doomscrolling is the action of continually scrolling through and reading depressing or worrying content on a social media or news site, especially on a phone. Coined around 2020, it involves endlessly refreshing feeds for bad news, driven by fear of missing out (FOMO) or a need for control, but ultimately harms mental well-being, causing fatigue, sleep issues, and worsening depression
Know someone struggling with doomscrolling? Effective remedies include setting limits, taking breaks, curating your social media feed, practicing mindfulness, and actively searching for positive news or stories.
🆘 Help for All
Credit: Pexels
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
🗞 More News
Credit: The Week | Getty Images
More young people today are choosing to go “no contact” with family members they consider toxic or harmful — not because they don’t care, but because protecting their peace matters for their well-being. Experts note that this isn’t a new phenomenon, but it’s becoming more visible and easier to talk about as definitions of trauma and unhealthy behavior expand. Many go no contact after repeated conflict, emotional abuse, or relentless negativity that takes a psychological toll.
Cutting ties can reduce stress and anxiety for some people, but it’s also emotionally heavy, often involving grief, guilt, and complex feelings about loss. Therapists say the choice should be driven by personal safety and peace, not shame or social pressure to “just deal with it.” And even when estrangement happens, reconciliation can be possible later if boundaries and expectations are communicated clearly.
Read More: ‘No contact’: Why Family Estrangement Is On The Rise For Young People (The Week)
🕹 Mind Games
The Memory Game is a type of game that challenges the player to remember and recall information. To play the Memory Game, you flip two cards at a time to find matching pairs, remembering their locations as you go until the board is clear.
✏ Take The Quiz: Youth Mental Health
Online screening is a quick and easy way to see what mental health symptoms someone may be experiencing. It’s quick, free, confidential, and backed by science.
Mental health conditions are real and common.
Take the Youth Mental Health or the Universal Mental Health Quiz
🛍 Product Review
When winter darkness starts to drag your mood down or your energy feels like it’s on low battery, light therapy boxes can be a real mood booster by mimicking natural sunlight. These devices emit bright light that helps regulate your internal clock, balance brain chemicals like serotonin, and lift symptoms tied to seasonal depression or low mood.
Experts say using a light therapy box daily — especially in the morning — can boost energy and focus, but it’s not an instant “cure-all” and works best as part of an overall wellness routine.
There are a range of options, from compact desk lamps to larger floor models, so you can find one that fits your space and vibe. Ultimately, light therapy boxes aren’t a replacement for therapy or meds, but they can be a simple, science-backed tool to help you feel sunnier year-round — even when the sky’s gray.
📞 Share the Health
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Thanks, and Be Well.
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