Mental Health USA

11/04/2025

This!

Brain scans reveal depression isn’t just a chemical imbalance

For years the world was told depression comes from “low serotonin.” A simple chemical switch in the brain. But new brain imaging research is rewriting the story. Scientists are now seeing depression not as one broken molecule but as a complex shift in brain circuits emotions stress response systems and even inflammation. The brain is not just missing a chemical. It is struggling to process the world.

Modern scans show changes in how brain regions talk to each other. Circuits tied to emotion memory and motivation can go quiet or misfire. Chronic stress can physically reshape neural pathways. Trauma can leave fingerprints deep in the mind. Depression is not a flaw in your personality and it is not a single chemical error. It is the brain adapting to pain overload stress and life experiences in ways we are only beginning to understand.

This changes something important. If depression is complex healing can be too. Medication may still help but it is not the only answer. Therapy lifestyle shifts purpose social support and trauma work all matter. You are not broken and you are not simple. Your brain is powerful and layered and every pathway that changed can be rebuilt in time.

Science is catching up to something people with depression always knew. It is real it is deep and it deserves understanding not blame.

09/24/2025

09/11/2025

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day...the day I lost my younger sister to su***de. I think I am okay, until I look through the photos and memories I have of you. And I weep. I weep for the deep pain you lived with. I weep for the pain of others who are living with a mental illness or have lost a loved one to su***de. I weep for my pain. Our lives will never be the same.

Copied and pasted the text and video below from my post in 2015. I was driving to IL for her memorial service.

Yesterday as I was driving this song came on the stereo and made me think of my little sister who we lost a few weeks ago, just 10 days before her 46th birthday. I had to pull over to the side of the road while I wept. As children, Luanne and I were inseparable. People often thought we were twins. I was the big sister and I protected her, even sometimes fighting off her bullies in grade school. Even as children my heart hurt for her. I could feel her pain. I didn't really understand it then...life...pain...mental illness...loneliness...su***de...death. And especially missing someone this much! Wishing we would have had more time together, even if only over the phone. One of the things I have learned while on this journey that we call life is that our life is not about "me". It never was. It's not only about just our immediate family. It's about others. It's about slowing down enough to be aware of those around us who are hurting and need a friend. It's about taking the time to make that call, just to be there, just to listen, to let them know they are not alone that someone cares. It's about our neighbor down the road who we've been meaning to reach out to. And our co-worker who always seems to be depressed. And the stranger in the grocery store whose eyes meet ours and we can see pain...loneliness. It's about extending Christs love to others who may be lost or hurting. Sometimes even a simple acknowledgement along with a genuine smile can make a difference for someone. Oh God I miss Luanne. I miss her so much!

NewsStoryOfTheDay http://www.facebook.com/NSOTD http://www.twitter.com/NSOTDPart of "The Actor's Studio" aired in 2005

09/04/2025

💙 September is Su***de Prevention Month, a reminder that help is always within reach. With just 7 days until , the countdown is on!

On 9/8, join us in spreading the word about the 988 Lifeline. ✨ Together, we can raise awareness, support each other, and take action, because compassionate help is available anytime, anywhere, for everyone.