Podcasts are a great way to get wellbeing tips, mindfulness or relaxation sessions and psychoeducation. They also provide a platform to reduce stigma by letting people tell their personal stories and experiences. Keep reading the article below to learn more about Mental Health Podcasts.
Some of the best mental health podcasts feature celebrities (like Brene Brown) sharing their own coping strategies to make listeners feel less alone. Others, like “Dear Therapists,” bring listeners into real-life therapy sessions to offer coping advice.
1. Therapy for Black Girls
A wildly popular podcast, Therapy for Black Girls is hosted by clinical psychologist Joy Harden Bradford. She uses her doctorate-level degree in counseling psychology to help demystify the stigma around mental health. The podcast covers topics from navigating social media to personal development and even talks about therapy itself.
The show is a mix of self-care tips, personal stories, and professional advice. The podcast is a must-listen for anyone struggling to be their best selves in the face of misogyny, racism and other forms of oppression.
It can be hard to find a podcast that reflects your own experiences and interests, but there are options out there for everyone. The trick is finding a host that you connect with, says Guttman. She recommends finding a host who is passionate about the topics they cover, has experience with them and follows professional norms.
Podcasts can be powerful tools, but they’re not a substitute for seeking help from trained professionals. Listeners should keep in mind that many podcasts focus on personal stories and may address sensitive issues such as body image, addiction and recovery, and self-harm. In addition, podcasts can be triggering for some individuals and should always be listened to with caution. In a recent study, participants rated podcasts about mental health as highly useful for understanding their own symptoms and feelings. They ranked them higher than a private counselling session or a visit to their GP or psychiatrist.
2. Closer to Fine
Closer to Fine, a newer podcast on our list, is hosted by two best friends who tackle mental health topics most people would shy away from at the dinner table. The two share their struggles and offer advice, all in the spirit of realism and irreverent humor. Whether they’re discussing how to set boundaries, church hurt or diet culture, the women bring an honest and hopeful voice that helps listeners realize they’re not alone in their struggles.
While these podcasts can be an excellent resource, they shouldn’t replace the help of a trained mental health professional. If you’re experiencing severe emotional difficulties like suicidal thoughts, it’s important to talk to a psychiatrist or psychologist about them so that you can get the care you need.
This podcast is the brainchild of bestselling author Caroline Foran, who uses her experience with anxiety to create episodes that teach listeners how to manage their symptoms. She interviews therapists and experts on the topic and also shares tips and techniques she’s used to overcome her own anxiety. The show is updated regularly and allows listeners to sift episodes by topic, making it easy to find what you need.
3. Huberman Lab
With so many health podcasts to choose from, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of them. If you’re in the mood for straight science and apt advice, listen to Stanford neuroscientist Andrew Huberman’s “Huberman Lab.” He explains how our brain and body work, offering takeaways that you can apply to your own life.
But he also speaks like a human footnote, rattling off study citations and contextualizing his research findings. And he’s not afraid to tackle tough subjects, like COVID-19 and vaccines.
Another popular mental health podcast is 2 Dope Queens, hosted by comedians Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams. The show explores topics related to race, gender, sexuality and parenting. Its witty content and relatable stories have made it an incredibly popular podcast.
But it’s important to remember that even if a podcast is discussing mental health issues, it isn’t meant as a replacement for formal treatment from a licensed therapist. That said, podcasts can be a great way to learn more about emotional wellness and reduce stigma, especially among those who may not have access to traditional mental health services. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of our favorite mental health podcasts. But beware of those that discuss sensitive topics often, including addiction and recovery, self-harm and domestic violence. These episodes could cause triggers in some listeners. Be sure to exercise caution if you’re listening with loved ones.
4. The Mental Illness Happy Hour
With millions of podcasts available, the selection can feel overwhelming. However, there’s something out there for everyone. Whether you’re looking for straight science, apt advice or lots of laughs, there are podcasts that can fit your mental health needs.
Many of these podcasts feature individuals sharing their personal stories about mental health struggles in a way that’s both empowering and informative. This can help destigmatize the topic and make listeners feel less alone. The 2 Dope Queens podcast, for example, features the high-energy comedy duo Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams, who share their own coping strategies and experiences with depression, anxiety and other mental health issues.
While these podcasts are a great resource for those who need to find support or want to learn more about mental illness, they should not be viewed as medical treatment or a replacement for therapy or medication. A consultation with a professional is always recommended.
Depending on your mental health needs, you may find that certain podcasts are too sensitive or emotionally draining for you to listen to frequently. If you’re a woman who’s struggling with body image issues, for example, it’s likely that episodes tackling these topics could cause you distress. Similarly, those who are dealing with trauma-related issues might want to steer clear of podcasts that discuss these subjects. Regardless, participants consistently rated services/resources such as private counselling and mental health-related podcasts as the most useful in understanding mental health.
5. Depresh Mode
With the vast selection of podcasts out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. The best mental health podcasts educate their listeners while remaining accessible through plain language, humor, or insightful interviews. They also clearly explain any research or methodology they use to come up with their strategies for mental wellness.
From comedian and host John Moe, whose fan favorite The Hilarious World of Depression has now been canceled, his new show Depresh Mode is about what it’s like living with depression (and a few other things as well). It’s funny, poignant, empathetic, educational, and supportive all at the same time.
Psych Central’s This Week in Psychology is another podcast that breaks down the sometimes confusing terminology and concepts of the field of psychology with real-life experiences from celebrities and experts alike. From the ramifications of social media on our relationships to specific types of therapy, this podcast covers a lot of ground and has some big-name guests in the mix.
Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, is all about active happiness on her laid-back podcast, which offers a few quick ways to boost your holistic wellbeing in each episode. Whether you’re battling loneliness on your own, working on improving your relationships, or trying to better set boundaries with technology, this podcast will offer tips to help you make changes that will last.
It’s impossible to talk about mental health without talking about physical health. In this podcast, general practitioner Rangan Chatterjee talks with medical professionals to discuss the connection between our emotional health and our physical wellness.
6. Dear Therapists
Despite the fact that podcasts are an increasingly popular way to learn about mental health, they shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for medical treatment. If you are feeling depressed, having suicidal thoughts or experiencing other extreme symptoms, it is a good idea to consult with a professional therapist for guidance and help.
The best mental health podcasts educate their listeners while remaining accessible through the use of plain language, humor or insightful interviews. For instance, on Dear Therapists, host Lori Gottlieb and psychologist Guy Winch invite listeners to “go to therapy” with them as they discuss the challenges that their patients are facing. Although these episodes aren’t a substitute for counseling, they can serve to destigmatize the discussion of mental health and inspire people to seek professional help.
In addition, podcasts like 2 Dope Queens are a great option for those who want to laugh and enjoy an entertaining show while learning about depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. The high energy duo of comedians Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams has turned their longtime friendship and witty banter into an incredibly popular comedy series.
This podcast explores the relationship between creativity and mental illness through candid conversations with artists, musicians and other creative people who have faced challenges of their own. The result is a deeply moving podcast that offers hope and encouragement to those who might otherwise feel alone in their struggles.