Mental health is finally getting the attention it deserves and it’s not a moment too late. Thanks to mental health podcasts, which are often hosted by experts, it’s easier to find better ways to improve your mental health for a healthier and happier lifestyle from the comfort of your own home.
Content
- 1. Best for Trauma Victims: The Trauma Therapist
- 2. Best for a Laugh: The Mental Illness Happy Hour
- 3. Best for Finding Inner Happiness: The Happiness Lab
- 4. Best for Simplifying Medical Jargon: The Hardcore Self Help Podcast
- 5. Best for OCD: The OCD Stories
- 6. Best for Depression: Feeling Good
- 7. Best for General Wellbeing: Cleaning Up the Mental Mess
- 8. Best for Anxiety: The Anxiety Coaches Podcast
- 9. Best for Understanding Mental Health: Let’s Talk About Mental Health
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. Best for Trauma Victims: The Trauma Therapist
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn| YouTube
The Trauma Therapist is one of the best mental health podcasts if you’re struggling with any type of trauma. The podcast covers addiction, mental health, PTSD, childhood trauma, heartache, loss, and much more.
It’s hosted by Guy Macpherson, PhD. Not only do you benefit from his professional advice, but he features other professional therapists who are experts in specific types of traumas to give you more in-depth insights into recognizing and handling trauma.
While it’s free, you are gently nudged to become a supporter for exclusive episodes.
2. Best for a Laugh: The Mental Illness Happy Hour
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn
Mental illness isn’t something to be ashamed about, which is why The Mental Illness Happy Hour helps normalize it. In fact, it often takes a humorous approach to discussions and features relatable guests to showcase the wide variety of mental health issues people struggle with daily.
Paul Gilmartin, a comedian, talks with fellow comedians, friends, artists, and even medical experts. All types of trauma and mental health issues are covered, such as PTSD, addiction, assault, anxiety, depression, and loss.
If you just need a pick me up, try these positive Spotify podcasts.
3. Best for Finding Inner Happiness: The Happiness Lab
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn
It’s hard to deny that the world is a negative and toxic place, making it hard to find any real happiness. That’s what makes The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos one of the top mental health podcasts. It’s all about putting you back in control of your happiness versus letting external stimuli take it away.
Dr. Santos, who teaches at Yale, uses scientific studies to not only explain the science behind happiness, but how you can change the way you approach being happier. According to Santos, we often do the opposite of what makes us happy. So, by making small changes, such as paying more attention to our emotions, it’s easier to find happiness, even when the world seems dark.
4. Best for Simplifying Medical Jargon: The Hardcore Self Help Podcast
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn
Dr. Robert Duff hosts The Hardcore Self Help Podcast. His goal is to take out the complex jargon and get real about mental health. He takes questions, usually two or more per episode, from actual listeners and helps explain the causes and strategies for dealing with various issues.
Discover more about how to deal with trauma, addiction, anxiety, relationship struggles, suicide, mental health myths and diagnosis troubles, self-harm, and much more. Even if an episode doesn’t seem like it applies to you, it may still be helpful.
5. Best for OCD: The OCD Stories
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn
Stuart Ralph wanted to make it easier for those suffering with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to talk about their struggles and learn how to seek treatment. While the podcast isn’t overly focused on treatment, guests explain their issues, triggers, and traumas to help others not feel so alone.
Plus, you’ll discover ways to help deal with the illness, what types of treatment are available, and when it’s time to seek professional help. Expert guests help share insights. For some users, hearing stories of those still struggling might not make you feel hopeful, but it proves you’re not alone, and you can gradually get better.
6. Best for Depression: Feeling Good
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn
Dr. David D. Burns hosts Feeling Good, which is one of the top mental health podcasts for anyone struggling with depression and anxiety. As an expert in his field, he uses CBT techniques to help listeners take better control over their mental health. There’s also a strong focus on relationships.
Discussions with other experts and actual listeners dealing with mental illness make the podcast both useful and relatable. Listeners can also check out his bestselling book Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy or his more recent release Feeling Great: The Revolutionary New Treatment for Depression and Anxiety.
7. Best for General Wellbeing: Cleaning Up the Mental Mess
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify| iHeart
Cleaning Up the Mental Mess takes a more unique look at mental illness by looking at both the causes/triggers along with all the mess left behind. Dr. Caroline Leaf uses neuroscience to explain mental illness and why our minds process trauma, stress, and struggles in such negative ways.
Of course, Dr. Leaf also provides in-depth guidance for using Neurocycle (a process) to help improve your mindset. This also gives you more control over your emotional, mental, and physical health. She also has a corresponding book Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess. It may be too general of a podcast for some listeners and Leaf’s book and app are pushed heavily.
8. Best for Anxiety: The Anxiety Coaches Podcast
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
If you suffer from anxiety, The Anxiety Coaches podcast is one of the best mental health podcasts for you. Gina Ryan, who’s a certified nutritionist and coach, uses her own experience of battling anxiety as the basis for the show. Bi-weekly episodes introduce you to various techniques and lifestyle changes to beat anxiety.
The show is ad-supported, but you can buy an ad-free version. However, this is optional. Or, use the ads as a moment to think about suggestions and even start implementing them right away.
9. Best for Understanding Mental Health: Let’s Talk About Mental Health
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn
It’s not always easy to talk about mental health, but that’s exactly what Let’s Talk About Mental Health aims to do. Jeremy Godwin, who experienced a mental health breakdown, talks about his journey and provides actionable tips tackling common mental health challenges and issues.
Godwin isn’t a professional, but does lean heavily on expert research. What makes this one of the best mental health podcasts is it also focuses on proactively preventing mental illness, along with caring yourself and healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I still seek professional help?
Mental health podcasts are ideal for helping you better understand your mental illness and find ways to treat symptoms at home. However, they’re not a substitute for professional therapy and treatment. If the advice and techniques you’re trying at home aren’t working, always reach out to a professional.
Do I have to buy any of the products or subscriptions the podcast recommends?
No. Many of these podcasts are supported solely by sponsored ads/products along with trying to sell the host’s own books or premium subscriptions. You can listen to all of the above podcasts for free (a limited number of episodes on some podcasts are only available to premium subscribers).
Should I start a podcast from the first episode?
You can, and many listeners claim it actually helps them more to start from the beginning. But, most are stand-alone episodes. Feel free to skip around based on what’s most relevant to you.
And, don’t forget to give your mind a break with different types of podcasts, such as these recommendations or some interesting tech podcasts.
Image credit: Unsplash
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Crystal Crowder –
Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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