Podcasts About Mental Health You Need to Listen To

Podcasts, in general, allow you to keep yourself informed, entertained, and in-the-know about a variety of subjects. Podcasts about mental health, in particular, open up vital conversations about mental health, mental illnesses, and coping mechanisms. The world doesn't discuss mental illness enough, and we rarely say the right things. These mental health podcasts, as well as self-help podcasts that everyone should listen to, bring the issues to the forefront. Only through discussion and open dialogue can we hope to address and affect the country's mental health crisis.

Who says that podcasts about mental health have to be dark, intense, and potentially triggering? Getting down and dirty with your mental health is sometimes helpful, but more than anything, people with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues want to feel some relief. The Mental Illness Happy Hour offers a candid take on various mental health issues. The conversations are humorous, but, at heart, the podcast does what comedy has done for ages: It helps us to laugh through the pain. In keeping with that philosophy, the host, Paul Gilmartin of Dinner and a Movie fame, invites professionals from the mental health sector and comedians onto the show.

Joel Kutz, the podcast host of The Dark Place, presents one of the most honest podcasts about mental health that you'll ever come across. Joel introduces a new conversation with each episode, often leading off with his personal mental health struggles. However, Kutz volunteers with a crisis hotline, as well, and he often shares stories that he's come across during his experiences as a volunteer. It's not difficult to find something to which you relate.

Host John Moe gives the world a gift with this mental health podcast. Moe is a comedian, which lends a humorous bent to a serious subject. He's a former correspondent for NPR, too, and, thus, hosts a variety of intelligent, in-depth discussions about mental health care and depression. The guests on this podcast are frequently fellow comedians. It means something to hear funny folks like Paul F. Tompkins and Andy Richter talk about their struggles with depression. Being funny has nothing to do with experiencing depression, a stereotype that needs to be corrected.

Katharine Heller and Sally Tamarkin host The Struggle Bus, which is aptly and charmingly named. The weekly podcast focuses on questions sent in by fans and listeners. Just listening to the show is calming, but the hosts also provide advice based on their own experiences. It's a fantastic show for people who aren't necessarily interested in a professional slant. Listening to The Struggle Bus is like talking to a friend rather than a therapist.

Kelli Walker gets it—a lot of podcasts about mental health focus on some form of anxiety. It seems like there's an entire generation with anxiety, and few of us know how to deal with it. Kelli helps with that; not because she's a registered nurse, or RN, and not just because she's a wellness coach, but also because she's been through it. Kelli had agoraphobia, which is a particularly debilitating type of mental illness that stops your life in its tracks. On some episodes, she discusses her experiences. On others, she will invite a mental health professional to share tips on coping with anxiety and overcoming triggers.

Dennis Simsek is The Anxiety Guy, and trust that he understands anxiety disorders. The man used to play tennis professionally, and the cutthroat sport played into his issues with mental health. Nowadays, Dennis is a veritable happiness machine—self-described, that is. His podcast is down-to-earth and relatable, with a variety of tips that can get you through your worst moments.

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, remains a growing problem, with many adults only getting diagnosed correctly in their 20s and 30s. Host Eric Trivers is a licensed social worker, enabling him to offer legit medical advice as well as anecdotal tips. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone who has ADD or ADHD and needs help with coping mechanisms. Listen to ADHD reWired for just a few weeks, and you'll find yourself more focused and productive.

What's better than self-help? Hardcore self-help, of course—next level self-care! Dr. Robert Duff, the host of The Hardcore Self Help podcast, is a licensed psychologist from Southern California. His demeanor is all SoCal chill, so just listening to him talk is relaxing. The good news about that is his advice is on-point, as well. In addition to delving into problems such as depression and anxiety, Dr. Huff also discusses how mental health issues, like anxiety, affect your relationships. What's helpful is that he explains everything for the layperson, and avoids confusing medical jargon.

If you're looking for podcasts about mental health that hit home deeply, Mentally Ch(ill) is it. The relatively new podcast was initially hosted by two women: Stevie Ryan and Kristin Carney. Not long after the show launched, Stevie died by suicide. Kristin has kept up the show and the meaningful, relevant, necessary conversations that surround mental illness. This podcast's content is a refreshing take on mental health; we need to talk about suicide and other severe problems that poor mental health initiate in order to know better how to stop it.

Crybabies is one of the most universally relatable podcasts about mental health because the co-hosts focus on all the things that make people cry. Sarah Thyre, one of the hosts, is a fantastic comedian and memoir writer who's married to Andy Richter. She and Susan Orlean discuss why they cry, when, and over what, and the podcast also features interviews with creatives; such as, actors, musicians, and writers. The conversations are raw, intimate, and gritty with a touch of levity.

There are many more podcasts about mental health just waiting for you to listen to them. The beauty is that you can do so no matter where you are or what you're doing, as long as you have a phone or tablet and your earbuds. What podcasts help to bring you out of the darkness?