Happy Hump Day!

Today is National Senior Health & Fitness Day — the nation’s largest annual health and wellness event for older adults. The theme for 2026 is "Move a Little… Live a Lot!" This day was created to promote the importance of regular physical activity, showcase senior-friendly exercises, and connect older adults with local health resources.

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In a recent magazine interview, the UFC CEO Dana White said men should handle mental health struggles "behind closed doors" and "don't show that weakness to anybody" — comments that sparked immediate outrage, with boxing executive Lou DiBella calling it "a pathology that kills" and MMA podcast host Clint MacLean bluntly stating "this is why suicide rates are so high in men."

Men die by suicide at nearly four times the rate of women, and the last thing we need is influential figures telling them to suffer in silence. Asking for help isn't weakness — it's one of the bravest things a man can do.

Read More: Dana White Under Fire For Claiming Men 'Shouldn't Talk About Mental Health' (Irish Star)

A new study projects that the U.S. supply of adult psychiatrists will drop 12% by 2037 — from 37,260 to 32,660 full-time providers — while patient demand surges nearly 44%, pushing national workforce adequacy down to just 42.8% and leaving rural communities at a devastating 20.9% adequacy rate.

Even more alarming, adult psychiatry already ranks dead last in workforce adequacy among the top 20 medical specialties — and it's projected to stay there. This is a five-alarm fire — we need urgent investment in training programs, telehealth expansion, and loan forgiveness for mental health professionals before this shortage becomes an irreversible crisis.

Read More: New study projects a massive shortage of adult psychiatrists in the United States (PsyPost)

The Mental Health Coalition (MHC) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that unites leading mental health NGOs, brands, and advocates to destigmatize mental illness and empower people to access vital resources.

The coalition works alongside many of the country's prominent mental health advocates, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Crisis Text Line, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and Mental Health America.

One of their core projects is the ‘Take It Personally’ campaign designed to encourage open dialogue about mental health and remove the shame around asking for help.

Read More: The Mental Health Coalition (MHC) | Resource Library

More people are turning to AI tools for emotional support and talk therapy — but therapists and privacy experts are warning that there’s a major catch: your deepest conversations may not be as private as you think. Some therapists now use AI tools to record sessions, generate notes, and streamline admin work, while many users are also opening up directly to chatbots about anxiety, relationships, and depression.

Experts say the technology can improve access and convenience, but it also raises concerns about data privacy, trust, emotional dependence, and who actually has access to sensitive mental-health conversations.

Read More: Therapists Are Using AI To Take Notes. Is It A Useful Tool Or A Breach Of Trust? (NPR)

MYTH: Therapy is a waste of time

FACT: Some people may not be comfortable with therapy. But research has shown that it’s very effective in treating mental illness. It’s usually most effective when used in combination with medicine. Studies found that 70% to 90% of people reported an improvement in their symptoms when both were part of their treatment plan.

The Mental Minute is your #1 source for the latest mental health news, tips, key resources and product reviews. Our goal is to make mental health an everyday conversation.

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Thanks, and Be Well.

— The Mental Minute