Why U.S. mental healthcare gets a failing grade

🏥 The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that more than 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. live with mental illness
Also today: Why T. Rex’s arms are so tiny, Kendrick vs. Drake, and the power of unconditional positive regard
By Scott Lamb

Since 1949, May has been Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S. It’s a time focused on sharing stories to reduce stigma, and encouraging those who need it to get support.

The notion of mental hygiene as a key part of public health dates back to the mid-19th century, and the phrase “mental health” came into common use after World War II. But despite the many advances in treating mental issues over the last 75 years, our current mental healthcare system isn’t working. In a recent survey of adults in the U.S., three quarters say the mental healthcare system is worse than the physical one, and over half graded it a D or an F, with their biggest concern being the lack of affordable care. The trendlines aren’t good — depression and anxiety rates are on the rise, and there’s a shortage of therapists available.

There’s no easy answer, but you’ll see a lot of resources shared online this month, from useful mental health guides put together by government agencies to personal stories — I found this mother’s recent essay on writing and mental health clarifying and moving.

If you’re in the U.S., some places to get help: If you need someone to talk to, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1‑800‑662‑HELP, or visit FindSupport.gov. If you’re a new/expecting mother, call 1‑833‑TLC-MAMA for confidential advice on mental health from a professional. And if you are facing a crisis, dial 988 to reach the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

What else we’re reading

• Why the tiny arms, T. Rex? This has to be the most common question any paleontologist gets asked; those tiny arms are the cutest and most puzzling feature of the dinosaur kingdom. As one paleontologist explains, the short arms likely evolved as a response to T. Rex adapting to run on two legs and developing its signature powerful jaws, but also were an advantage in group feeding frenzies — short lil’ arms are less likely to get accidentally chomped on, a competitive advantage.
• As the Kendrick Lamar/Drake rap feud continues for another week (see a timeline here), writer Allison Wiltz looks back at one of Lamar’s diss tracks from last week, “Euphoria,” as a critique of Drake’s complex position in Black culture: “Overall, ‘Euphoria’ sends a clear message that black culture is not a mask you can put on for-profit and take off to avoid discomfort without facing the music.”
• One way to understand how the TikTok ban might play out (see a past Daily Edition on that topic here) is to look back at a somewhat similar situation: The failure of previous federal legislation in the U.S. aimed at stopping online piracy, SOPA (the Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (the Protect IP Act). In 2012, those acts were making their way through Congress when mass protest stopped them. The TikTok ban’s aims are similarly unclear and broad — might eventual public outcry be enough to see it halted?

💗 Your daily dose of practical wisdom: about motivation

Being hard on yourself for messing up might feel like the right way to get better at something, but the opposite is true. “You’re never going to become successful or happy if you constantly put yourself down,” writes Nir Eyal. Instead, learn to show yourself unconditional positive regard with self-affirmation, and you’ll be well on your way to increasing your confidence and motivation.

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Edited and produced by Harris Sockel, Jon Gluck, & Carly Rose Gillis

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