Happy Friday!
Today is National Senior Fraud Awareness Day. Today we highlight the rising financial scams targeting older Americans. As of May 2026, the FBI and financial institutions are urging vigilance against tech support, grandparent, and investment scams that steal billions, encouraging families to discuss safety and report suspicious activities to authorities. Scams reported to the FTC in 2024 resulted in over $2.4 billion in losses, indicating a significant increase from previous years, with seniors frequently targeted due to accumulated assets and trusting natures.
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.
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🗞 In The News
Credit: Politico
Political anxiety is officially a mental health crisis — and therapists on both sides of the aisle are seeing it firsthand. A staggering 65% of Americans say politics is a significant source of stress, with concern about the nation's future ranking as the #1 stressor — above money, work, or the economy — and for the first time, that distress is actually driving people through therapists' doors in record numbers.
Therapists say the common thread among these clients is voracious news consumption, and their first intervention is often simple: turn off the TV and limit news to one hour a week at most. Political anxiety is real, it's bipartisan, and it's okay to ask for help.
Read More: Politics Is So Broken It’s Driving People to Therapy (Politico)
Credit: CNN | Getty Images
A major new review analyzing 37 studies covering more than 600,000 pregnant women on antidepressants — found that once researchers accounted for genetic and familial factors, antidepressant use during pregnancy had little to no association with ADHD or autism in children. Experts emphasize that untreated depression during pregnancy carries its own serious risks, contributing to around 23% of maternal pregnancy-related deaths — making the decision to stop medication without medical guidance potentially far more dangerous than continuing it. As a takeaway, never stop psychiatric medication during pregnancy on your own — have an honest, individualized conversation with your doctor.
🆘 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: WAMU
Mayor Bowser's latest budget proposes sweeping changes to school behavioral health services in DC, moving them under a city agency in an effort to cut costs — but teachers, parents, and mental health advocates are sounding the alarm that the disruption could leave vulnerable students without the consistent care they depend on and overwhelm already-stretched classroom teachers.
Unfortunately, school-based mental health services are often the only access point many kids have to professional support, and dismantling or disrupting that system to save money sends a deeply troubling message about how we value our children's wellbeing.
😨 Fears and Phobias
Pharmacophobia (far-muh-kuh-FOE-bee-uh) is an intense, irrational fear of taking medications or pharmacological treatments, often resulting in severe anxiety, panic attacks, and avoidance behavior, which can cause significant medication non-adherence. It often stems from fear of side effects, past negative experiences, or a lack of trust in the healthcare system.
Studies suggest that 30% to 50% of the population may not always follow prescriptions, with one study indicating that up to 20% of surveyed participants considered themselves pharmacophobic. It is notably more common in females and the elderly.
📞 Share the Health
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Thanks, and Be Well.
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