Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic, reflects on how people can improve their daily lives by finding companionship in moments of solitude. He references three books that explore themes of social connection and community, including "Bowling Alone" by Robert D. Putnam, which examines the decline of American community, and "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt, which explores how childhood experiences contribute to mental illness. Thompson also mentions "Superbloom", a book by Nicholas Carr that discusses how technology can both unite and isolate people.
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/02/american-loneliness-personality-politics/681091/Nema Health, a virtual trauma and PTSD care solution, has secured $14.5 million in Series A funding led by Deerfield Management and CVS Health Ventures. The company's existing investors, including Optum Ventures, .406 Ventures, and GreyMatter, also participated in the round. Nema's therapy model is based on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and is peer-led, with other trauma survivors working alongside patients throughout their recovery. The program has shown promising results, with 91% of patients experiencing clinical improvement after completing 4-6 weeks of treatment and 82% no longer meeting the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. Nema's goal is to make its virtual treatment model accessible to the over 13 million Americans struggling with PTSD, and it plans to expand to more states this year. The funding will be used to continue expanding the company's treatment across markets, broaden insurance coverage, and deepen its care offerings.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nema-health-raises-14-5-million-series-a-to-expand-virtual-ptsd-treatment-model-and-promote-long-term-healing-302346159.htmlA recent report by the Department of Defense's Defense Health Agency found that mental health disorders among active-duty US military personnel increased significantly between 2019 and 2023, with a nearly 40% jump in diagnoses over the four-year period. The most common diagnoses were related to adjustment, anxiety, and depression. Notably, female service members were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at twice the rate of their male counterparts. This trend is concerning given that mental health remains a critical issue for the military, particularly as they face global volatility. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health care for those serving in uniform, stating "Mental health is health, period."
https://www.deseret.com/utah/2025/01/06/military-defense-department-mental-health-disorders-anxiety-ptsd-report/The quality of her friendships is important to her as she has experienced negative impacts from relationships with people who have a pessimistic outlook on life and have drained her energy. She has learned that investing time and emotions in the wrong people can lead to self-doubt and a negative outlook, but has also gained perspective after those relationships ended.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/opinion/2025/01/07/new-years-resolution-about-dumping-some-friendsRelationship expert and psychosexual therapist Dr. Silverman notes that a mismatch in sexual desires between partners can be detrimental to a relationship if left unaddressed. She cites instances where men feel their wives have little or no sex drive, while women report feeling pressured by their partners' demands, which can erode their own desire for intimacy.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14252381/six-questions-midlife-couple-ask-year-want-stay-married-national-divorce-day-therapist-Natasha-Silverman.htmlMatthew Livelsberger, a U.S. Army veteran who served at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, carried out a terrorist attack on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas, killing one person and injuring three others. The FBI found no evidence of terror ties to Livelsberger, but police said he was struggling with PTSD and other issues. In contrast, another U.S. Army veteran, Hayat Boumeddine Jabbar, who also served at Fort Bragg, carried out a terrorist attack in New Orleans, killing 14 people and injuring dozens more after pledging allegiance to ISIS.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/us-army-releases-assignments-shamsud-din-jabbar-matthew-livelsberger-after-new-years-day-attacksChronic stress has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, specifically heart disease and high blood pressure. According to Veerang Vats, managing stress effectively is crucial for overall health.
https://www.livemint.com/web-stories/5-ways-stress-impacts-your-health-and-how-to-combat-it-visual-story-11736064174645.htmlMatthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old decorated Green Beret, died by suicide in a rented Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. Investigators found that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had written letters about the "burden" of taking lives. The blast injured seven people nearby, but investigators have found no links to terrorist groups or a connection between this incident and another attack in New Orleans. Livelsberger's body was burned beyond recognition, but authorities confirmed his identity through dental records and DNA.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/united-states/soldier-in-tesla-cybertruck-explosion-was-suffering-from-ptsd-says-fbi-dismissing-terror-link-13849735.htmlMatthew Livelsberger, a 37-year-old decorated Green Beret, died by suicide in a rented Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on New Year's Day. Investigators found that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had written letters about the "burden" of taking lives. The blast injured seven people nearby, but investigators have found no links to terrorist groups or a connection between Livelsberger and US President-elect Donald Trump. They are still examining his devices and investigating personal and family issues that may have contributed to the incident.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/01/04/soldier-in-vegas-tesla-blast-suffered-ptsd-no-terror-link-fbi/162016