According to the World Health Organization, half of all mental health conditions start by age 14. Most of these conditions go unnoticed, unidentified, and undiagnosed. For these teenagers, it can make high school a very difficult place to be.

Today, adolescents have many vices and outlets. These can include TikTok, Netflix, and other platforms. Although they occupy time and can be distracting for a while, these coping mechanisms are not necessarily healthy or productive.

Podcasts are a great way to combat slumps and a lack of motivation brought on by mental health conditions. So many podcasts of 2021 and past years have made the conversation of mental health more accessible.

Even scanning the top charts on iTunes, you can see popular podcasts discussing topics like trauma, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and more.

They even have podcasts for education and self-improvement. Listeners can gain tons of knowledge from psychologists, professors, philosophers, and authors.

These podcasts can serve as great reminders to stop and examine yourself. Productive conversations about self care and your own well being is a helpful way to take a look in the mirror, so to say. 

Before committing to a podcast, you can read the ‘about’ section containing information regarding the host, contents, and episodes. If you wish, you can research the authors, writers, and hosts. Doing this can give you an idea of their credentials and past projects.

A great podcast can double as a life-affirming cleanser. Whether it be hearing someone’s experience, getting advice, or having a good laugh, a podcast is a great way to workout your mind without opening a book. The vast world of podcasts is truly a marvel. There is a podcast for nearly every topic. From romance to true crimes, and comedy to botany, you are bound to find something to invest in.

Now, even YouTubers have hopped on the podcast train. For example, YouTube pals Garrett Watts and Andrew Siwicki recently created their podcast Sweet Boys. The episode topics range from A-Z as they talk about platforms like TikTok, their experiences, social issues, and mental health.

Podcasts are the perfect source of calm for most situations. If you’re in public, all you really need are earbuds. Downtime in class, long roadtrips, working out, getting ready, or sitting in your room are all places or situations where listening to a podcast would be perfect.

Verywellmind.com constructed a list of some of the best mental health podcasts of 2021. These include The Positive Psychology Podcast (best overall), The Anxiety Podcast (best for anxiety), Meditation Minis (best for time constraints), The Hilarious World of Depression (best for humor), The Trauma Therapist Podcast (best for emotional trauma), and Tara Brach (best for complex topics).

If you’re able to replace just 30 minutes of Netflix with a thought-provoking podcast, it can bring so  much more clarity into your day.

Several podcasts now offer meditation guides and offer advice on how to manage symptoms of anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

It is so amazing to have accessibility to medical professionals and their advice in your back pocket.

Maintaining a healthy mind, should be a top priority. If you ever need to talk to an expert, contact the Mental Health Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP.