The connection between mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness in America is undeniably complex. People dealing with mental health problems may turn to substances as a form of self-medication, increasing their risk of addiction. As substance use rises, it can lead to financial hardship, job loss, and broken relationships — all of which raise the chances of ending up unhoused. Conversely, the harsh and often traumatic conditions of homelessness can worsen existing men

Author Wes Arnett outlines Five Ways Working with a Recovery Coach Can Be Helpful. He shares that he is in recovery from substance use disorder and mental health challenges and is passionate about offering hope and inspiration to those in recovery or exploring recovery. He supports multiple pathways of recovery as he walks alongside his peers and advocates for a profession that profoundly impacts individuals in our community.

It sounds radical, but what if substance use isn’t a disorder but a survival strategy for coping with trauma, poverty, or pain? The real issue isn’t in the brain or body but what’s happened to and around them. Recovery doesn’t require another diagnosis, but rather understanding, support, and meeting people where they are. Are we ready to have that conversation?

The contemporary behavioral healthcare model, while well-intentioned, is fundamentally limited by outdated methodologies and technologies. The sporadic nature of in-office and televisits, coupled with rudimentary follow-up mechanisms, creates a discontinuous care experience that fails to capture the nuanced, day-to-day realities of patients’ lives. Aaron Reichlin, MD, leads efforts to revolutionize mental health service delivery.

The future of mental health healing is likely to be significantly shaped by technology, emphasizing personalized treatment and increased accessibility. This includes the use of AI, digital therapeutics, and telehealth to improve diagnosis, treatment, and support. Social policies and increased community support are also crucial for addressing the root causes of mental health issues.

Substance use disorder (SUD) recovery is a complex, lifelong process requiring coordinated support across health care, social services, and community systems. Unlike other chronic conditions, SUD is episodic and has uniquely high stakes due to the lethality of the current drug supply. The lethality of today’s drug supply means that a gap in care or a recurrence of symptoms can quickly become fatal. 

Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience a range of complex and unexpected emotions, including shock, anger, disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globally, more than 720,000 men, women, and children die by suicide each year, impacting almost 1 billion people directly bereaved or known to those who died.

Eight years ago, my world shattered. My fiancé, Olivier, died by suicide just weeks before our wedding. We were living together in France, far from English-speaking support services, and left in grief, shock, and isolation. Losing someone to suicide is unlike any other kind of loss. It leaves you with unanswered questions, deep pain, and often an unbearable silence from the world around you.

Author Dr. Saba Riaz will explore how trauma and emotional stress from early life experiences can disrupt the neurochemical balance in the brain. According to Dr. Riaz, “Addiction strongly affects neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin that regulate mood, reward, and impulse control. Chronic stress and trauma cause changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis that create a biochemical environment that increases the probability of addiction.”

The Role of Inner Child Healing in Overcoming Adult-Child Syndrome explores the importance of reconnecting with the inner child to address Adult-Child Syndrome (ACS).Stephanie Watterson is our author. Stephanie grew up in a home affected by mental illness, with a mother who struggled with mental health issues and an emotionally unavailable workaholic father.

Kirsten Rabuck collaborates with me as a co-author for this issue. She is a substance abuse counselor and an adult child of an alcoholic father, just like me. Together, we draw on our experiences as adult children to help others facing similar challenges.