Mental Health NewsFeed

March 22, 2025

TikTok's

A new trend on TikTok involves using a filter to make oneself appear "chubby" and laugh at the results, sparking criticism that it perpetuates body shaming and reinforces negative attitudes towards being fat. Rebecca Shaw and Fat activist Demi Lynch have spoken out against the trend, with Shaw calling it "damaging" and Lynch stating it suggests being fat is something to be ashamed of. The filter was removed from TikTok after backlash, but not before millions of people around the world had seen it, including Emma, who felt disheartened by its impact on her as a curvier woman.

https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/tiktok-chubby-filter-row-ai-tool-body-shaming-13873603.html

March 22, 2025

Kitty Dukakis Battles Addiction in Memoir 'Now You Know'

Dukakis openly discussed her struggles with addiction and depression, sharing her experiences in her 1991 memoir "Now You Know." Her openness helped raise awareness about addiction, as evident in the naming of the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital's addiction treatment center after her. During her husband's presidential campaign, Dukakis shared her story with high schoolers, using it to connect with young people and promote understanding about addiction.

https://nypost.com/2025/03/22/us-news/kitty-dukakis-wife-of-former-massachusetts-governor-and-failed-democratic-presidential-nominee-michael-dukakis-dead-at-88/

March 22, 2025

Neumora Therapeutics Sued Over Misleading Depression Trial Data

Neumora Therapeutics Inc. is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging that the company made false and misleading statements about its Phase Three Program for Navacaprant, a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The complaint claims that Neumora amended its inclusion criteria to focus on patients with moderate to severe MDD and added a prespecified analysis to show statistically significant improvement. The lawsuit also states that the Phase Two Trials lacked sufficient data, particularly regarding patient population size and gender ratio, to accurately predict results of the KOASTAL-1 study. Investors who suffered losses may contact Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP for more information.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nmra-class-action-alert-kessler-topaz-meltzer--check-llp-reminds-neumora-therapeutics-inc-shareholders-of-securities-fraud-class-action-lawsuit-302408030.html

March 22, 2025

Queensland Health Minister Halts Hormone Therapy for Minors

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls has paused the provision of hormone therapy to new young patients with gender dysphoria in Cairns due to safety concerns, citing "apparently unauthorised" services provided to 42 paediatric patients. The decision comes after an investigation found that 17 of these patients were prescribed stage 1 or stage 2 hormone therapy without parental consent. A review of the evidence base is planned, but Nicholls has yet to appoint a reviewer or finalise the terms of reference for the review.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/queensland/three-page-document-behind-lnp-government-s-gender-therapy-crackdown-20250319-p5lkrf.html

Chatbot Addiction Linked to Loneliness and Dependence

A new study by OpenAI in partnership with MITx has found that increased usage of chatbots like ChatGPT may lead to higher levels of emotional dependence and problematic use, as well as heightened feelings of loneliness among users who spend more time interacting with the technology.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/technology/higher-use-of-chatbots-like-chatgpt-linked-to-increased-loneliness-openai-study-finds-1868374

New York Counselor Accused of Sex Abuse

A former counselor at a New York facility, Hayes, allegedly held frequent private counseling sessions with a teenager in her office, where she began sexually abusing him three months after his arrival. The abuse continued for over 30 times, according to the teen's lawsuit filed in Brooklyn Federal Court.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14526287/nyc-male-teen-raped-psychologist-bigfoot-maya-hayes.html

Quarter of Teens Suffer Social Media Addiction

A study by the German Centre for Addiction Issues in Childhood and Adolescence at the University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf found that over a quarter of 10-17 year olds exhibit risky or pathological social media use, with 4.7% considered addicted. The study's lead, Rainer Thomasius, warns that excessive social media use can lead to addiction, neglecting other areas of life and causing serious consequences such as poor school performance, social isolation, and family conflicts. Boys are more likely to be affected, with a higher rate of pathological media use than girls. Parents are advised to intervene quickly if they suspect their child's social media use is problematic, by regulating time and content, showing interest in online activities, and providing guidance. However, many parents struggle to do so, with 40% not limiting their children's media use and a quarter not moderating the content they access online.

https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2025/03/22/039a-tsunami-of-addiction-disorders039-parents-warned-about-tiktok-risks

Staten Island Teen Raped by Counselor Maya Hayes

A Staten Island teenager was allegedly raped dozens of times by his female counselor, Maya Hayes, at the Brookwood Youth Facility in upstate New York between 2021 and 2022. Hayes, 47, used her position of trust to groom and manipulate the victim into trusting her, before exploiting him for her own depraved benefit. The alleged abuse occurred during frequent counseling sessions in her private office, with the victim claiming it happened over 30 times.

https://nypost.com/2025/03/22/us-news/nyc-teen-raped-by-female-shrink-known-as-big-foot-at-juvie-jail-lawsuit/

TikTok ADHD Videos Spread Misinformation, Study Warns

Stephanie Miller, an influencer and entrepreneur, was diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 2024. She wants to raise awareness about the condition on social media but is cautious not to spread misinformation she's seen before. New research published in PLOS One found that over half of popular TikTok videos with the #ADHD hashtag contain false claims, contradicting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders used for clinical diagnosis.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/adhd-tiktok-misinformation-steph-claire-smith-social-media/0a28e1d2-1d9d-4b3f-8f35-3228859c3b1c