Mental health professionals in Nevada are fighting to close a major gap in access to care. At least one source, Mental Health America, is revealing Nevada ranks 45th -- near the bottom of the state rankings -- in access to mental health care.

Newly updated data from the Centers for Disease Control show a 27% decline in overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2024, but during that 12-month period, Nevada saw a 3.4% increase. Experts say it’s happening despite growing efforts by law enforcement and advocates who educate the public about the dangers of opioids, fentanyl, and methamphetamines.

The planet is not the same as it was when you were a kid. The summers are hotter, and longer. There are more storms. The ocean is more acidic. More animals have become critically endangered. While it’s still controversial, it’s no secret that the majority of scientists affirm climate change models. These predictions range from minor inconvenience to total climate meltdown–and they can be intensely stressful. And while parents might be tempted to, they can’t protect their kids from climate change forever: They live on this planet after all, and will start to feel its effects sooner or later, whether you address it with them or not.

Probiotics reduced negative mood in a new clinical trial, adding to mounting evidence that the gut-brain connection plays a crucial role in mental health.

New research suggests the zero alcohol products (ZAP) trend has reached teens. But whether these beverages drive healthier behaviors, act as a gateway to alcohol use, or both, is unknown.

A statewide program expands mental health resources to children and teenagers. The Pediatric Access Line, which launched in 2020, makes it easier for doctors to connect with mental health professionals.

In the final episode of The Killing Drugs, host Vanda Felbab-Brown speaks with Dr. Lisa Durette and Dr. Alexis Kennedy of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, about the impact of the fentanyl and opioid epidemics on young people. They explore risk factors leading to substance use disorders among the young, including developmental vulnerabilities, the social environment, and trauma and abuse. They discuss the challenges in identifying opioid use in adolescents, how to have conversations with young people about drugs, and the importance of community and family involvement in prevention. Finally, they explore treatment and other drug support services available to young people or their lack of, including in the juvenile justice system.

Whether you’re one of the nearly 58 million Americans who experience some form of mental illness each year or just want to optimize your mental well-being, you might be interested in therapy. However, you may be wondering which type of counseling would best suit your needs: a psychiatrist or therapist? When making that decision, it can be helpful to learn about how psychiatrists differ from other therapists in terms of their education and training, therapies offered and cost.